Job— Why the Righteous Suffer
06.22.22
Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him. (Job 13:15a)
This is our second journey into the Book of Job. We have discovered that the LORD allowed Satan to severely pester and try Job almost to the breaking point. He had some friends who tried to comfort him in his afflictions, but they tended to preach rather than offer him comfort and solutions.
After many days of such trials, the LORD finally appeared to Job, as if to wrestle with him. He asked Job many questions about His creation and sovereignty over His creation, none of which Job was able to answer.
Job finally gave in to the LORD. He humbled himself before Him in repentance and humility. Here are his words: “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6)
The LORD God restored Job to his former state, and gave him twice as much as he had before.
The main point we try to stress as we go about surveying each of these precious books from God’s Word is how Christ is seen in the book. There are two particular passages that speak of Christ.
First, Job acknowledges that he needed a Redeemer (19:25, 26). For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God. These are remarkable verses given that this was written long before any other book of the Bible was penned. Job spoke of a Redeemer, and of resurrection.
Second, in another passage he speaks of his need for a Mediator. For He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, and that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, who may lay his hand on us both. (9:32, 33) Christ fulfills the answer to both of Job’s needs—He is the Redeemer and the Mediator between God and men.
So, why do believers suffer? We suffer as a result of sin. Christ understands our suffering. Whatever trials we endure in this life cannot be compared to the agony He faced when He became sin for us and faced the wrath of God. Ultimately, He will answer Satan’s charges, which are actually against God, and defeat him.
Furthermore, in light of suffering, God is worthy of our love, even apart from any blessings He bestows. Sometimes He allows suffering to draw us to Him, purify us, and strengthen our soul in godliness.
Ultimately, Job was not meant to know the explanation for his trials. If he had known, there would be no place for faith. God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways. He knows what is best for His glory and for our good. There is an unseen battle going on in the spiritual world which we cannot see. In the end, we must rest in the faithfulness of our wise and loving God. He makes no mistakes!