This article is part of a series. The series will examine every book of the Bible, but this particular article examines the book of Job. If you have not yet read the introduction to this series, you may read my introduction here: My Duty: The Revealed (Introduction)
On The Surface:
The book of Job calls attention to the reality of pain and suffering in this world. The question evident throughout the book is, “Why?” Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to GOD’s people? Job’s life was essentially destroyed when he lost all his children and wealth in one day. Job’s well-meaning yet nearsighted friends argued that bad things only happen to sinful people and that GOD protects and blesses the good people. But the book of Job reveals that bad things do happen to good people; bad things happen to GOD’s people. But why? There are three main messages to be learned from this book: (1) dealing with personal suffering; (2) helping others who suffer; and (3) trusting in GOD.
In this book, Job and his friends seem to believe that Job is on trial, but they are ignorant of the fact that it is actually Satan who is secretly on trial due to Satan’s decision to take GOD to court. Satan claims that GOD’s policy of bringing blessings on righteous people is flawed because they will then be motivated by prosperity rather than simply the desire to be righteous. So, the question is established: How should GOD run the world with justice in mind and still promote true righteousness? The point this book intends to make is that the world is too complex for us to be able to have all the information that we would need to affirm that GOD is just. All three friends and Elihu claimed to have the wisdom necessary to explain Job’s situation; however, the book of Job makes it clear that true wisdom would never be so bold as to proclaim to completely understand everything because true wisdom comes from GOD alone and GOD alone is wise. The book of Job also provides us with some wisdom in that wisdom about suffering is never enough. Understanding suffering will not remove a person from suffering. We must move beyond talking about suffering to walking side-by-side the sufferer with love and encouragement. GOD demonstrated that the operation of the cosmos was based on wisdom rather than on a simplistic sense of immediate justice. GOD administers the world in wisdom, and from His sovereign wisdom, justice results. With cases of evil and situations of suffering, it is better to focus on the future (what ultimate purpose GOD has for us) rather than the past (the cause of suffering); it is better to focus on the question of “who” rather than the question of “why.”
[But if the question of “Why?!” torments you, feel free to read my other article, “Why Does GOD Allow Pain And Suffering?“]
The main message can be seen in chapters 38-41 when GOD bombards Job with a barrage of questions to which all answers lead back only to GOD. The main point can be found in 40:2,8 and 42:2-3 where it is written that we cannot declare GOD guilty to justify ourselves, GOD’s plan cannot be thwarted, and we are ignorant of too many things and unworthy to be Judge. Through the succession of searching questions, Job found his opinion of himself to shrink and his concept of GOD to expand. Job’s questions remained unanswered yet he realized that he was satisfied. When placing our present problems in proper perspective and expanding the focus on GOD, self-righteousness shrinks. Believing that GOD is omniscient and wise, we can trust that His control cannot be calculated nor anticipated and He knows what He is doing. Believing that GOD is omnibenevolent, we can trust that He is doing what is best and right. Believing that GOD is omnipotent, we can trust that His plan cannot be thwarted. Ultimately, GOD’s plan, which cannot fail, is best and right even if His justice is beyond our ability to assess or completely comprehend. In the end, the theology of Job and his friends had been too shallow and their understanding too little. Genesis 3 reveals why there’s evil and suffering. The books of Judges and Kings presents evidence of our inability to save ourselves. The New Testament provides the solution and reveals GOD’s love through unmerited grace in Christ Jesus. Job — a good man — suffered temporarily so that GOD could accumulate evidence against our accusing adversary. But doesn’t that mean that GOD used Job? Isn’t that awful and evil? GOD did use Job — yes — but it was not awful nor evil. Why not? GOD knew Job’s heart (1Samuel 16:7) just like GOD knew the virgin Mary’s heart; both Job and Mary ‘unwillingly’ carried a ‘burden’ only to later recognize it to be a blessing. In their hearts, they had been willing even though they their minds had not linked up with the heart’s commitment at the time. GOD chose the willing candidate based on GOD’s knowledge of the person’s content of character. All temporary pain and suffering are simply such — temporary (Romans 8:18)! It’s easy to become distracted by the present problems we face, but it is trust in GOD we must embrace, knowing our faith guides us into GOD’s grace. The entire book of Job can be summed up by saying that to obtain complete trust in GOD is to attain wisdom (Job 28:28; Proverbs 3:5-8) and it is within wisdom we realize that GOD’s ways are beyond our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). There is no promise of a fairy-tale happy ending to every case of suffering in our present time on this Earth; however, expanding our vision to see the bigger picture reveals that there will be a happy ending eventually on the new earth under the new heavens (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:16-17; 21:3-4). Not everything that happens in this short lifetime needs an immediate explanation. Sometimes, we just need to heed the advice from Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the meantime, are we walking alongside those who suffer with love and encouragement?
Into The Depth Beyond The Surface:
[1:1] Who was Job? He was blameless, had integrity, feared GOD, and stayed away from evil. As we discovered with Noah, blameless doesn’t mean sinless (see notes for Genesis 6:8-9). But Job was just another average human being! He was just another faith-filled believer who experienced the problems of life. Understand this: hate doesn’t discriminate! According to our accusing adversary, none of us will ever be good enough and we’re all targets for disaster and destruction. However, GOD has made it clear that every believer matters (Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:6-7)!
[1:3 – 2:10] Job was the wealthiest person in that entire area. What does it mean to be wealthy? Think: some people are so poor all they have is money. Do the riches of this worldly life truly matter? Are you willing to let it all go? Are you willing to suffer and endure for the prize? What is the prize? In the great reversal, the lost are found and the last are first. If we are not of this world, should things of this world be most important to us? Remember: where your treasure is, there your heart is also. What is your treasure? Job was tested. Why? What is the test? Where is your heart? Read and meditate on the following Scriptures: Matthew 6:19-21,24; 10:22,39; 16:24-27; 19:21-24,29-30; 24:9-13; Mark 8:34-37; 10:28-31; 13:13; Luke 9:23-26; 10:41-42; 12:32-34; 21:17-19; Philippians 3:7-11.
[1:5] Job consistently made sacrifices on behalf of his children out of love for them. First and foremost, let’s consider that we are told that Job was found to be righteous, not his children. We simply don’t know about his children. But why would Job make sacrifices for them on their behalf? Was he also a priest? Job probably lived around the time of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) before GOD gave His written Law or appointed priests to be religious leaders. During Job’s day, the father was the family’s religious leader. Because there were no priests to instruct him in GOD’s Law, Job acted as the priest and offered sacrifices to GOD to ask for forgiveness of sins. Job performed these sacrifices out of conviction and love, not obligation. Can superficial sacrifices save us? It is written that GOD desires obedience over sacrifices (1Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 7:22-23). Can pious performances keep us pure in heart? No. Even the Pharisees looked good on the outside yet were rotten within (Matthew 23:27-28). What about you? Do you carry out your spiritual duties begrudgingly out of obligation or do you act from a heart of love and devotion?
[1:6-12] As we read the book of Job, we need to realize that we are privy to inside information that the characters of the story did not have. We don’t always know what happens behind the scenes of the story, but we do in this particular story. The angels are accountable to GOD (e.g., 1Kings 22:19-23). Satan was once an angel who dwelled in the presence of GOD. From this we can learn that Satan can be at only one place at a time. Now, Satan’s demons certainly do aid him in his work, but as a created being, he is limited. Also, we can learn that Satan cannot see into our minds to know our thoughts and he cannot foretell the future. And lastly (and most importantly), we can learn that Satan can do nothing without GOD’s permission. GOD possesses all power, which means Satan has none unless he is allowed it. Now, GOD singled Satan out. GOD knew that Satan was prideful, corrupt, and evil within. GOD knows our thoughts and our hearts (1Samuel 16:7; 1Kings 8:39; Psalm 139:1-4,15-16; Isaiah 46:10; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 9:4; 10:29-30; 12:25; Mark 2:6-8; Luke 6:8; John 1:47-48; 4:18; 11:11-15; Acts 1:24; 1Corinthians 2:10-11; 1John 3:20). So, when GOD asked Satan where he had been and what he had been doing, GOD already knew the answer, just as He already knew the answer to His question to Adam in the garden (Genesis 3:9). When GOD asked if Satan had noticed Job, GOD already knew that Satan had set his sights on Job like a wolf sets its sights on a helpless little lamb. So, GOD did not steer Satan to Job for some sick sadistic purpose of watching Job squirm and suffer; rather, Satan had already been eyeing Job with hatred in his heart. GOD’s descriptions of Job reveal GOD’s love and they were like stab wounds to Satan’s pride. With each loving adjective GOD spoke about Job, Satan’s heart bled out hatred and rebellion. Think: as you read the book of Job, imagine the entire story as a court case scenario. GOD, the great detective, knew Satan was guilty; however, GOD desired to collect evidence against Satan in order to convict Satan with an overwhelming guilty verdict, leaving no room for a mistrial. GOD was collecting evidence against Satan while Satan thought he was tricking GOD. Job will be the main witness that will testify against Satan. And GOD will also take off His detective’s badge, pick up His gavel, and then become Judge. We are all the jury. Who is the guilty one? GOD? Or Satan? Who is guilty? Is it GOD or is it us in our accusations against GOD due to our ignorance of the bigger picture? Who is guilty? The one who suffers or the people who refuse to love and encourage the one who suffers?
[1:9-12] Satan’s response to GOD’s love for Job was to say that Job only loved GOD because Job was blessed and secure. Satan essentially said, “Humans are incapable of genuine selfless love. Your creation isn’t as great as you thought they would be and I can prove it. I bet you that I see what you don’t see and that you’re wrong. I should be GOD — I would operate the cosmos and orchestrate events better than you.” What do you think? Is Satan right? Do you only love GOD when you are blessed and feel happy? Is GOD only on the throne during the good times? Do you only claim GOD when things are going well for you? How deep does your faith go? And knowing that adversity dissolves superficial faith (Matthew 13:20; Mark 4:16-17), GOD allowed Satan to test Job. Did GOD allow the test only to inflate His own ego at Job’s expense? No. GOD knew Job’s heart. Did Satan convince GOD to do what He never would have done otherwise? No. GOD knew the beginning and the end because He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:8,17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13). GOD essentially responded to Satan by saying, “I know humans are finite and fallible beings; I know their limitations. However, I’ll allow you to do your evil deeds so you can learn the hard way about your own limitations. I am the Limiter. I set all limits. And you will discover your limit after all is said and done.”
[1:13-22] Satan, ignorant of his inevitable downfall, saw the scenario as a win-win situation: Satan could hurt Job (and that alone would have made him happy), but then if he could get Job to curse GOD, that would [in Satan’s mind] be a true victory which would give him an upper hand on GOD, which would ultimately lead Satan to believe that he was more powerful than GOD, thereby making him the Supreme Being (GOD). With pride filling Satan’s eyes, Satan himself had aperture appetite (see notes for Genesis 25:29-34). With glory and praise in mind, Satan struck Job with a combo attack! Four hard punches and Job went down! If this were a boxing match, the audience would be wondering at this time if Job would be able to get back up! So, how did Job respond? In fact, he did not get back up. However, that was his secret weapon. How so? Job essentially said, “I’m bowing down, not tapping out!” Job fell to the ground to worship! Understand this: the one who kneels before GOD will be able to stand up to anyone and against anything! Job didn’t hide his overwhelming grief. He didn’t lose his faith in GOD; instead, his emotions (given to him by GOD) merely revealed that he was human and that he loved his family. From the surface, it seemed as if Satan won the first round. Job shaved his head and fell down. On the surface, it might seem as if a victim of cancer has lost because she shaved her head and has been knocked down. But there’s always depth beyond the surface. The truth is that Satan lost the first round because Job stayed down and didn’t rise up in rebellion! The truth is that we are always winning while we are praising GOD! Humanity fell. This is known as the Fall. But our fall was actually Satan’s fall.
[2:1-10] Round two. Again, GOD singles Satan out and interrogates him. Again, Satan gives GOD an ambiguous answer regarding his whereabouts and activities. Again, GOD pokes Satan’s pride by pointing out the good qualities of Job. However, this time GOD also confronts Satan with the truth that Job’s response proved that Satan’s attack was unwarranted, he was wrong, and it made Satan look bad. Satan essentially responded by saying, “Oh! I’m to blame?! You’re the one who made those lesser, weaker, selfish and more fragile beings! And this proves nothing! You’ll see! The only reason Job didn’t curse you was because you kept him safe throughout the whole ordeal! But I guarantee you that if you allow me to take away his health, he will curse you then! You’ll see! Humans are selfish creatures; you made mistakes, not masterpieces! You made a mess!”
So, what do you (the reader) think? Is GOD only good while we are experiencing good health? Is perfect health the picture of complete fulfillment? Does a perfect GOD not exist if people are without perfect health at all times? GOD essentially responded to Satan by saying, “You believe you’re right? You think you know more than I do? Let’s find out. Do whatever you desire, but spare Job’s life. But I’m telling you that My strength is made perfect in their weakness (Isaiah 35:3; Ezekiel 34:16; 2Corinthians 12:9-10). And I’m also telling you that they were created in My own image (Genesis 1:26-27) and they’re worth dying for (John 3:16).”
So, Satan set out. But this time, Satan also instigated Job’s wife as insurance to his plan. Perhaps Satan thought, “If I can’t get to Job, maybe his wife can cause him to crack and curse!” After all, that was Satan’s strategy in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Perhaps the only reason Job’s wife was spared was for this purpose of torment. Perhaps Satan thought, “She’s awful. She’s perfect! I’ll use her as my tool — she will be my crowbar to pry open Job’s discontentment and disbelief!”
Job’s wife told him to curse GOD and die. Job responded by saying that we should accept the bad days along with the good days. What do you think? When something bad happens, do you decide to take GOD off the throne? And then when things are good again, put Him back on the throne? Take GOD off the throne, put Him back on, etc…? Do you teeter-totter from belief to unbelief? Do you believe or not? Do you have faith or not? If you can’t believe in GOD and have faith during all the bad times, then you don’t believe whole-heartedly and your faith is like a bitter beverage that can’t be swallowed, a lukewarm and bland meal that will be spit out (Revelation 3:16).
Satan, however, is so much more clever than this story gives him credit for though. Satan might seem stupid in this story, but it’s only because he is being compared to GOD, who is Wisdom. It’s true that Satan is no match for GOD, but he is definitely a challenge for us and we need to remain on our guard at all times (1Peter 5:6-11). The old adage is true: never underestimate your enemy! Thus far, Job remained strong. After the second round, Satan was still losing.
How do you respond to troubles? The biggest reason why Satan remains such a formidable opponent for us is due to the fact that we can’t see him, don’t know when he is coming or going, and some don’t even believe that he exists or that Hell is real (see notes for Matthew 10:28). And the people who don’t believe in Satan or demons are in the most trouble because they don’t know who or what is responsible for the bad things that trip them up. Without belief, confusion rampages through lives. And because of confusion, the unbelievers point the blame anywhere that seems most logical in their minds. And because unbelievers place mines of blame anywhere they can, they explode on others and themselves. Most wars are started due to confusion and misunderstanding of whom we perceive to be the enemy. Do you know the real enemy (Ephesians 6:11-12)? It’s important to realize the devil’s existence and his potential to ruin things in our lives. Once we become aware of the devil and his schemes, it’s easier to prepare and prevent an attack on our lives. It also strengthens our bond with GOD.
[2:11-13] Round three. Job’s three friends traveled from different countries just to be with Job in his time of despair! Now, they didn’t have trains, planes, or automobiles to ride back then to make their journey quicker and easier! Those friends put effort and dedication into their travel plans, most likely traveling by camel. Those were great friends! And they did nothing and said nothing for seven days and nights – they merely sat there with him to let him know that they were there for him! That’s pretty amazing. Perhaps we can learn from this — perhaps what a friend needs most is merely our presence, showing that we care. But just as Joshua broke the silence with shouts and the walls came down (Joshua 6), the silence was about to be broken between Job and his friends, causing their own walls to come down. Meanwhile, I can picture Satan in the background thinking, “If Job’s useless wife couldn’t get him to curse GOD, perhaps his friends will! He can’t hold up his shield forever! Eventually, he’s going to get tired of holding it up and lower it down. And when he does, I’ll be there, waiting to penetrate his weak spot!”
[3:1-26] Job finally broke the silence. Though he didn’t curse GOD, he cursed the day he was born. He felt that it would have been better to never have been born than to live his entire life for that moment of misery. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why would GOD allow me to get built up only to watch me get torn down?” Or, “Why bother living right when it leads to everything going wrong?” I know I have. And if we’re honest, we can admit that we can most likely relate with Job. And Job can’t be blamed for wishing to be dead. Job’s grief placed him at the crossroad of his faith. Job even found himself wondering why life would be given to those without futures. We may not have an immediate answer for all our troubles, but we do know that those who have been squashed down to the bottom will rise to the top (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 9:35; 10:31; Luke 13:30). Also, what we don’t typically think about during our times of despair is that it is merely only a moment in time. If you were to create a time chart of your life, that moment of despair would seem so insignificant compared to your entire lifespan, let alone your eternal life with GOD. Think: our entire lifetime here on this Earth will be but a mark on our timeline for eternity. And you would find yourself saying, “I can’t believe I wanted to give up on life because of that one small span of time!” But pain and suffering can do that to us. Let’s not minimize pain and suffering too much. In the moment, it is your present and it is all you know. However, it is your present, and we should view it as such as well — a present (gift)! This is easier said than done, of course, but we should view it as a gift that will make us stronger than we were before we experienced it. But understandably so, the moment is your present and it is difficult to think positive during times of despair. I understand that. Especially if you’re alone and don’t have the right support system in place to help you get back up and going again.
Job was so overwhelmed with despair that he welcomed death. Have you ever been so depressed that you welcomed death? I have. I once wrote out a suicide note and was ready to accept death at a certain point in my life (click this link to watch my testimony). Why? Because I thought that with death, there could no longer be any pain. Like Job, I also desired peace and rest. But are we truly set free in death? Is death the release to peace or relief from grief? No. Death only releases us into an eternity of the life we choose. And if we so choose, we can freely go to Hell (see notes for Matthew 10:28). And I’m sure it’s a hell of a lot worse than mere death. Job desired peace because he lost his peace. What we do and what we possess often get equated with purpose. When our perceived purpose gets pulverized, pain replaces peace. So, if pain replaced peace, then you need a replacement plan for pain until you attain peace again. Do you have a replacement plan in place? When negative thoughts cause pain, do you have the replacement plan in place so you can attain peace? Let’s not fill up on negativity and hopelessness; instead, let’s get a meal replacement plan and fill up on hope and life (Philippians 4:8-9; Galatians 6:9; 2Thessalonians 3:13). If you were to make your replacement plan, what would it look like? What are the lies the enemy usually tries to get us to believe? What is the Truth spoken by GOD? Whenever negative or self-defeating thoughts enter your mind, remind yourself that you need to activate your replacement plan. The simple truth is this: whatever your mind meditates on will determine your direction. Just as the rudder of a boat will steer the person in the boat in a certain direction, your thoughts will steer your soul in the body in a certain direction. Which direction do you desire to go? If you don’t want to veer off into the storm of negativity and possibly get shipwrecked on Depression Island, then replace the bad thoughts with good thoughts and allow those good thoughts to steer you back on course. Consider the following examples and put together your own replacement plan:
|
The Lies |
GOD’s Truth |
| You are not good enough and you’ll never be good enough. | Even if others don’t consider me to be good enough, I am made in the image of GOD, the Lord is more than enough, and I’m enough because He is more than enough. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 1:3; 3:20) |
| Nice guys/girls finish last. | The last will be first and the least will be the greatest. (Matthew 19:30; 23:11-12; Mark 9:35; 10:31; Luke 9:48; 22:24-27) |
| Your pain and suffering will never cease. You will never catch a break and you will always feel miserable. | There will come a day when there will be no more pain and no more suffering; in fact, the Lord will wipe away every tear and we will live in eternal joy with GOD. (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4) |
What other lies can you think of that need to be replaced with Truth? Put together your replacement plan! Trials and grief, whether temporary or enduring, do not destroy the real purpose of life. Life is not given merely for happiness and personal fulfillment but for us to serve and honor GOD and other people. We must learn to distinguish between the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of purpose. This is difficult in a crisis; however, Christ is more than enough. Job had only two choices: (1) He could curse GOD and give up, or (2) he could trust GOD and draw strength from Him to continue. You have those same choices. Get better or remain bitter. Job had three friends as his support system. Unfortunately for Job, he had a lousy support system. In chapters 4-37, Job’s so-called support system became the adversary’s advocates. What we can learn from the conversations between Job and his friends will hopefully help us to be better friends to those we find suffering.
[4:1 – 5:27] Eliphaz appealed to personal experience and told Job that people always reap what they sow; thus, Job had reaped trouble because of the sin he sowed. On the surface, his argument was true (Proverbs 22:8; Galatians 6:7); however, the enemy sometimes sows weeds in our wheat (Matthew 13:24-30,36-45). Also, we will eventually reap what we never sowed (John 4:36-38; Romans 5:8). And because evil exists and bad things happen to good people, we must keep sowing to the Spirit and endure (Galatians 6:8-10). We must be familiar with the entire scope of GOD’s Word to properly understand the difficult portions of it. But Eliphaz appealed only to personal experience for wisdom. It’s also interesting that Eliphaz told Job that he couldn’t be innocent because mere mortals cannot be innocent before GOD or pure before the Creator (4:17). Again, on the surface, this is a true statement (see notes for Psalm 53). But knowing this, why would Eliphaz declare Job to be a sinful man if he was also sinful (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42)? How can his friends assume to be more righteous than Job? Eliphaz goes so far as to say, “If I were you, I would…”, which is a statement loaded with pride. Is he the authority on wisdom? Ironically, Eliphaz tells Job that GOD traps the wise in their own cleverness. Again, this is true (1Corinthians 3:19) for all people, including Eliphaz (42:7). And then he tells Job not to despise the discipline of the Lord. Again, on the surface, this is a true statement (Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11-12; 5:22-23; 6:23; 12:1; 15:9-10; Hebrews 12:5-13); however, this truth did not apply to Job. Was Job being disciplined for his sins? No. All who offer counsel from GOD’s Word should take care to thoroughly understand a person’s situation before giving advice. Job had just lost all his children and everything he owned. Yet Eliphaz had the audacity to say that if Job had lived a righteous life, his possessions would still be plentiful and he would have children (5:24-25). Were those words of comfort and compassion to help heal wounds or were they harsh words of salt rubbed in an open wound? Eliphaz pridefully ends his speech by telling Job to listen to his counsel and apply it. Understand this: it’s good to seek counsel from our brothers and sisters in Christ; however, the words we need to ultimately apply to our lives comes from GOD’s Word. So, when you receive counsel from friends, be sure to thoroughly investigate their counsel to make sure the counsel is biblically accurate. And if GOD’s Word is the final authority and counsel of wisdom for our lives, what does GOD’s Word say about pain and suffering? In fact, GOD’s Word tells us that pain and suffering are a part of this sinful and fallen world, we will experience troubles, but that we should take comfort in knowing that there will come a day when there will be no more sadness (John 16:33; Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17 21:4).
[6:2] Why suffering? We know GOD permits evil to happen (see notes for Isaiah 5:20) and creates good from the bad, but why does GOD allow so much pain and suffering? Article: “Why Does GOD Allow Pain And Suffering?”
[6:1 – 7:21] Job replied by telling Eliphaz that his words were tasteless, or without flavor or help. May we all learn from the insensitive conversations between Job and his friends. Eliphaz was sure quick to speak about wisdom from his own experience; however, we should be quick to listen and slow to speak — especially to those who are suffering (James 1:19)! Those who are suffering often need compassion more than advice. Truly, it is an unrealistic expectation to desire someone who just experienced a crisis to be able to accept advice and be motivated enough to implement immediate plans of action for change. People need to grieve and we need to allow them to do so.
As representatives of GOD, we also need to be careful not to use Christian clichés such as, “GOD will never give you more than you can handle.” It’s simply not true. It’s not biblical. It is written in 1Corinthians 10:13 that GOD will always provide a way of escape from temptation; however, that does not address our ability to overcome pain and suffering and sin. It is true, however, that GOD will not allow any difficulty to come into our lives that we are not capable of bearing in the power of Christ — we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37)! In fact, 1John 5:4 promises us that everyone born of GOD overcomes the world! But in 2Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul informs us that he felt pressed beyond the ability to endure. Humans are weak even though our spirit is willing (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). Sometimes, we’re simply not able to overcome by our strength alone — and that’s okay because His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2Corinthians 12:9-10)! Therefore, if we are to boast, then let us boast about our weakness (2Corinthians 11:30; 12:5). Even the best sometimes fails and falls like the rest of us. But here’s the good news: what is impossible with humans is possible with GOD (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27)!
Now, though Job was so miserable he felt like he had been infected with a poison in his spirit and he wanted to die, he did say that he was able to take comfort in the fact that despite his pain and suffering, he did not deny GOD’s Word. Understand that a bad attitude of negativity is a poison and we need the antivenin of Truth immediately! With as much energy as one fallen man could muster, he fought back and told Eliphaz that he was of no help (6:21) and that he needed to stop assuming Job’s guilt (6:29). In other words, Job essentially asked, “Why are you kicking me while I’m already down?” Job’s response ends by directing his questions at GOD, with the dominant question of, “Why?!” Because Job started his snowball of questioning GOD, he was on his way to becoming dangerously close to sliding down the slippery slope into sinning. He didn’t, but he was close. We must be careful not to sin due to our suffering. But even in his pain, Job spoke prophecy in that GOD had plans of forgiving us of our sins and taking away our guilt (7:21).
[8:1-22] In the heat of the moment, Bildad told Job that his children had been sinners and deserved to die. What Bildad failed to realize in that moment was that he was also a sinner and deserved death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Have you ever looked down on someone because of their sins yet failed to realize that you’re also a sinner? It’s easy to point out the flaws of others if those specific sins aren’t the areas with which you struggle. This wasn’t the case with Job. But even if it had been, Bildad had been insensitive and unloving. But amazingly, Bildad spoke prophetic words in verses 5-7, and 21. Bildad also spoke truth in verses 13-18: those without GOD will be uprooted and all they had relied upon will be revealed as worthless (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43). GOD is our security and safety net. What have you trusted as your security? How lasting was it? If what you consider to be your security is still standing, how much longer do you believe it will last? Flowers and weeds share the same garden for their roots; however, the weeds will eventually be uprooted. You might believe your roots are deep and secure in wealth, but no one’s roots possess the power to save them. The Gardener is in control and there will be a great Day of separation.
[9:1-10:22] Knowing that Job’s pain and suffering came from Satan’s desire to find a flaw in GOD’s design, wisdom, and goodness, I can imagine GOD looking at Satan when Job spoke in 9:4. And in 9:14, Job asks an important question we should all consider in our moments of prideful behavior: “Who am I?” It’s acceptable to ask questions, but who are we to contest GOD’s wisdom? And in 9:33, Job spoke prophecy again without even realizing he had done so — there is a Mediator who approaches the Father on our behalf (1Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 7:25; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24)! Job did remain loyal to GOD; however, while wallowing in self-pity, he also made statements he would later regret. We need to realize that when we allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity, we are only one step away from self-righteousness. We tend to believe that we should be exempt from pain and suffering, but we should remember that this life is a refinery designed to remove the impurities in order to help us become the righteous people GOD originally designed us to be. When we face trials, it would be best if we ask ourselves, “What can I learn from this and how can I grow and become better?” Many times we desire GOD to change our circumstances when GOD desires to first change our character. If you ever find yourself doubting GOD, remember that you are not privy to all the facts. So, perhaps rather than asking, “Why is this happening to me?”, we should ask, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this? How should I respond to this situation?”
[11:1-13:19] Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, appealed to wisdom as if claiming it for his own. Yet, GOD eventually showed the friends just how much they didn’t know and how unwise they had acted toward Job. Ironically, in 11:13, Zophar tells Job he should change his heart; however, Zophar needed to check his eye (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:41-42). Perhaps if Zophar had changed his perspective, he would have seen that he needed to change his own heart toward Job and Job’s situation. Zophar wasn’t even an ophthalmologist, but even if he had been, why was he trying to perform heart surgery? It’s true: we must check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. Are you playing the role of a cardiologist or cardiothoracic while having a log in your eye? It’s difficult to perform heart surgery on someone if the log in your eye prevents you from seeing the details of that person’s heart. Job’s response to Zophar was to essentially say that he is not wise (12:2), he’s not better than the next person (12:3; 13:2), true wisdom is found in GOD alone (12:13), and that if his friends were physicians, they would be worthless quacks (13:4). Job then changes direction and states that he desires to take his case directly to GOD (13:3). We must realize that when we seek guidance for our decisions, GOD’s wisdom is greater than any advice this world has to offer. Job knew that GOD is the Source and that he needed to seek the Source! Why? As Job put it in 13:15, the Lord is the Only Hope — there is no other hope apart from the Only Hope!
[13:20-14:22] Job desired what we all desire: peace and rest (13:6). And Job provided the acceptable answer to the perceived problem of pain and senseless suffering in 14:14-15 by stating that resurrection of life would be a satisfying solution and would be sufficient to explain the struggle. The fact that death is only a new beginning to real life should put our present pain in proper perspective. No matter how unfair your present world seems, GOD offers the hope of being in His presence eternally and with no more sorrow (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 1Corinthians 15:53-58; John 11:25-26)! Have you accepted this offer? Job spoke prophetically in 14:17 that the Lord would cover us! We are covered (Psalm 32:1; 85:2; Romans 4:7)! The present time in which we live is temporal and death has no sting (Hosea 13:14; 1Corinthians 15:55)! Therefore, even while we suffer, we still have something to celebrate: sorrow will end; joy will be eternal.
[15:1-35] Eliphaz told Job that he wasn’t wise and in the same breath also told him that he was a windbag. However, true wisdom isn’t so insensitive. How wise could it be to berate someone who just lost his wealth and family? Eliphaz relied heavily upon his own experiences for wisdom (15:17), yet his experiences failed to teach him the wisdom of caring for someone in a crisis situation. If we rely only upon our experiences to teach us wisdom, how wise can we be? After all, how many experiences in life have you not yet had? How many countries have you visited? How many cultures have you experienced on their terms? How many scenarios might exist which you’ve never experienced? Truly, how wise can we be with our limited experiences? Even the person who has traveled the world can admit that he/she still doesn’t know everything.
[16:1-22] The truth hurts sometimes. Job told his friends that they were miserable comforters. After all, why did Job’s friends come to see him if not to comfort him? His friends had said, “If I were you…” yet they refused to stand in his shoes and empathize with his pain. And now Job can say the same to them because he has been in their shoes (4:3-4). Here’s the wise advice from someone who experienced loss and grief: be an encourager and try to take away the grief (16:5)! The best comforters are typically those who have experienced personal suffering and know what others failed to do for them and so he/she does his/her best to be that person for others. So, let us learn from Job’s friends and take Job’s advice. Be an encourager. Try to ease the pain and take away the grief. It doesn’t help to talk just for the sake of talking. Clichés don’t comfort.
[17:1-16] Job essentially said that what others think about him doesn’t matter. The only words about him that matter come from GOD. And Romans 3:4 tells us that GOD’s Word will remain true even if everyone else is a liar. Thankfully for us, we have a Witness and an Advocate to safeguard us against the one who accuses us (1John 2:1; Hebrews 9:24). Job’s piercing truth to his friends was that they cannot be as wise as they claim to be because true wisdom comes from GOD (17:10). Truly, if we are to be wise, we will realize that wisdom comes from GOD (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; Job 28:28) and our actions will be in alignment with GOD’s Word and will. How wise can we be if our actions go against the Word of GOD? And GOD’s Word tells us that our duty is to love one another and by this love we will be known as His disciples (John 13:35).
[18:1-21] Bildad yelled at Job, telling him to make sense if he desired answers from them. Did the friends travel to Job to feed their own egos or did they simply lose the meaning behind their decision to come see him? Did Job need their condemning comments or did he need their comfort, care, and concern? Why did they go to see Job? We must never lose the ‘why’ that drives the ‘how’ we do ‘what’ we do, regardless of ‘where’ it takes us. We never lose our ‘why’ because of ‘who’ our ‘why’ affects. Even if we feel we must admonish someone, we should be sure we are confronting that person out from love (Ephesians 4:15), not because we are annoyed, inconvenienced, or seeking to fix blame.
[19:1-29] Again, we need to listen to the wisdom that comes from someone who spoke from the place of suffering: we should never kick someone while he/she is down. Job said his friends should be ashamed of themselves for being so insensitive. Job said that their words of “wisdom” was an inhumane act of torture. Job felt hopeless and helpless. In 19:6, Job expressed his anguish for GOD allowing everything to happen the way it did. It’s easy for us to shift the blame onto GOD because GOD possesses all power and control. However, GOD allowed it all to happen for a good reason. Pain and suffering is definitely awful while we experience it, but we must do our best to keep our focus on the end goal. In the end, GOD will compile all the evidence against our accuser, declare us innocent by the blood of Jesus, and set us free to live in joy! In fact, Job later affirms this in 19:25 when he rightly stated that the Lord is our Redeemer (John 8:31-32,35-36). In 19:10, Job said he felt crushed and as if he were finished. However, we know that we will never be completely crushed even if we are hard pressed on every side and that the only thing “finished” is the complete and ultimate sacrifice for our sins (2Corinthians 4:8-9; John 19:30).
[20:1-21:34] Zophar declared that he needed to reply to Job due to his spirit prompting him to do so. But because his reply was prompted by a disturbance within him, Zophar replied from a spirit of pride. Sometimes the loving thing to do is to refrain from speaking. Also, we don’t always need to get in the last word. Job responded by saying that Zophar was without understanding of Job’s situation and that his words were empty. Careless clichés from the church create confusion and are causes for concern. We should be building people up, not tearing them down.
[22:1-24:25] Eliphaz had the audacity to tell Job that he must have neglected the poor because he had been so wealthy and powerful. It almost seems as if the three friends only went to Job so they could tell a former wealthy man, “You got what you deserved.” They also seemed to think too highly of themselves: “Do you want our wisdom or not?” Compare and contrast these three ‘wise’ men with the wisdom of Matthew 25:35-46. They talk, but don’t take action. At this very moment in the story, Job is the least of them and the three friends are not fulfilling their duties as loving brothers. At this moment in the story, one has to wonder about the three friends’ true motives for coming to visit Job. And at this moment, it would have been better if they had not come. However, we should give the friends the benefit of the doubt and assume they had the right intentions and ended up traveling in the wrong direction. Yet through it all, Job’s response in 23:10-12 reveals that Job’s heart and faith was pure even though he had many “why” questions.
[25:1-31:40] Job rightly proclaims that wisdom is the most valuable thing we could have (28:17), GOD alone is wisdom (28:23), and that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom. To have the “fear of the Lord” means to have respect and reverence for GOD, to be in awe of His majesty and power, and possess the desire to live in obedience out from love. Who is truly wise? It is the person who trusts in the Lord with all his heart and chooses not to lean on his/her own understanding (1Kings 3:1-15; Proverbs 3:5-8). In chapter 29, Job spoke of his former blessings; in chapter 30, Job spoke of his anguish at his current situation. Compare and contrast the two. It’s easy to praise at the peak when you’re on top of the world, but will we also believe at the bottom when problems fall on us like rocks coming off the mountain? Is Satan right? Will you abandon the Lord when life doesn’t go your way?
[32:1-37:24] Elihu? Eli-who? Who is Elihu? Where did he come from? Was he one of Job’s surviving servants? Was he a passerby? Did he initially travel with the three friends as one of their helping hands? Regardless, Elihu obviously knew the others well enough to be granted permission to speak. Elihu patiently waited to speak until the others had spoken because he was young and he desired to respect his elders. However, Elihu brought up a valid point in that despite what many people might believe, wisdom does not come with age. In fact, GOD’s Word tells us that young people can be wise and examples of righteousness for others (Jeremiah 1:6-10; 1Timothy 4:12-16). Some scholars believe that Elihu suggested that Job had not suffered due to his sins; rather, Job was sinning due to his suffering. That’s a powerful and convicting thought! Have you ever or are you now resorting to sinning due to your suffering? After all, many people tend to start blaming GOD or others for their suffering. It’s easy to slip into sin because of suffering. But we must remember that suffering is not meant to punish us as much as it is meant to correct and restore us, to keep us on the right path. We need to view suffering from GOD’s perspective (if possible) with the best purpose in mind. However, we cannot wrongly assume that a right response to suffering will always bring us healing and restoration — at least not immediately. It is written that the Lord will eventually wipe away every tear from our faces (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4). But that means those tears might remain with us until this time on this Earth comes to an end. However, we can choose our attitudes at any given moment. I will be the first one to admit that I (Trenton) often fail to choose a good attitude and allow a bad attitude to steer me in the wrong direction. But living out the bad attitude was a choice I made when I could have chosen to place my focus on all the good and travel a different direction. In fact, GOD’s Word instructs us to intentionally focus on all the good (Philippians 2:14-16; 4:4-9)! Though this is simple, it’s not easy. Choosing a good attitude is challenging in the moment of pain and suffering, but choosing to have a bad attitude won’t change our circumstances for the better. Choosing a bad attitude will only cause us to wallow in the mud we stepped in.
Elihu, like the other three friends, desired to share his wisdom with everyone. However, wisdom about suffering is never enough. Understanding suffering does not remove us from suffering. There have been many times when I (Trenton) had experienced suffering through the lens of my Christian worldview. Though I understood suffering from a biblical point of view, the understanding simply wasn’t enough to lift up my depleted demeanor. Unfortunately for us, feelings often trump facts when we are emotional. We must move beyond understanding to an active state of loving and encouraging others. The key to overcoming pain and suffering is to take action when you feel like giving up and move forward when you feeling like falling down. We must actively seek our spiritual brothers and sisters for a spiritual recharge. We simply cannot fight the good fight alone. In our moments of suffering, we needed others for love and encouragement. We need each other. That is biblical (Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Jude 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:13; Matthew 18:20). It’s good to tell someone the wisdom about suffering; however, if you’re going to talk to someone who is suffering, then you should also be willing to walk alongside him/her while you talk. What good will a barrage of words do if they are launched at a person who is falling down? Those words will fly over that person’s head as he/she falls. Empathy is greater than sympathy. Pity can be nearsighted and condescending; however, shared suffering can be life-changing and dignifying. For one to understand suffering, he/she must allow it to fill his/her mind. But to move beyond the suffering, that fallen person needs an empowered spirit and hopeful heart so he/she change his/her focus to trust in the Lord and love for others. Serving those who suffer brings purpose to pain. Think: if no one ever suffered, how could anyone know the fulfillment of helping someone overcome suffering? Who can you walk with? Who can you serve? You can bring purpose to pain by serving those who suffer. The body exists as one. Is there a part of the body you have been neglecting?
Elihu said he spoke truthfully and with sincerity. We can all be sincere, but we can also be sincerely wrong. We can speak truthfully, but will our words come out from love? Do we desire to build up or tear down? (Ephesians 4:15,29; 1Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25) All three friends and Elihu spoke as if they were wise, as if wisdom were something that could be completely attained. Becoming wise is an ongoing, lifelong pursuit and is a process. To live is to learn; the moment you stop learning is the moment you start dying.
Elihu accused Job of not listening to GOD, which was not true. GOD is sometimes silent. It’s not always the case that people aren’t listening. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of patience and being able to wait for clarity. What if GOD had told Job, “Just a heads up — Satan is going to test you and afflict you, but in the end, you will be healed and get everything back”? Job’s greatest test was not the pain but rather that he didn’t know why he was suffering. Most of the time, the answer to our specific questions can be found in GOD’s Word, but sometimes the situation is unique and we will have to wait for the answer. But have you even taken the time to read all that GOD has already spoken in His Word? Are you asking for a Word when you haven’t even read the Word He has already given to us? We must make sure our conclusions are consistent with all of GOD’s Word, not just parts of it. Wisdom can be found in 34:33: must GOD tailor His justice to your demands? Do you have unrealistic expectations or find yourself saying, “Well, if I were GOD…”? GOD is still concerned even though He doesn’t intervene immediately in every situation. GOD executes justice, but it may not happen when we believe it should. We have the promise of justice. Don’t lose hope. Wait upon the Lord. GOD notices your right living and your faith. Remember: the first will be last and the last will be first; those who are sad now will be joyful later (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30).
[38:1–41:34] The Lord eventually addressed Job; however, instead of answering Job’s questions, GOD bombarded Job with a series of unanswerable questions. The first question was probably the most convicting of them all. Essentially, GOD asked Job, “Who are you to question me?” And then the Lord goes on to essentially ask, “What do you know? And if you know so little, why do you question me?” As believers, we need to make a decision that will determine how we respond in life: do we trust in the Lord or not? If we know GOD exists, He is for us and not against us, and He has great plans for us in eternal joy, then faith in GOD is far more important than immediate explanations or feeling happy at all times. Perhaps we should ask GOD to take us outside as He did for Abraham (see notes for Genesis 15:5-6). But even an examination of our physical world cannot bring us to fathom the depth of GOD. Interestingly, Job kept asking “why” yet GOD kept asking Job, “who”? GOD basically told Job [and is telling us] that we need to adjust [and continually readjust] our focus. Rather than placing our focus on our problems, we need to place our focus on the Lord because He is the Solution. In 40:2, GOD reminds us that if we desire to take Him to court then we better have all the evidence and answers readily available to make our cases. But it’s not possible for us to construct such a case. We don’t have all the answers. Job’s humble response is an example of how we should all respond: “I am nothing.” Who am I? Who are you? Who is Creator of all?
Do you demand answers when things don’t go your way, you lose a job, someone close to you is ill or dies, finances are tight, you fail, or unexpected changes occur? The next time you are tempted to complain to GOD, consider how much He loves you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). When you find yourself asking, “why,” realize that the very question reveals just how much you don’t know. Why would you ask “why” if you already knew everything? And if you are without answers, then who are you to be a critic? Many people overlook this important fact: GOD came to Job, demonstrating His great love and care for him. Think about it! Many people tend to harp on pain and suffering so much that they forget that GOD came down to personally absorb everything bad on our behalf so that we can live in eternal joy with the Lord as His pure bride!
It’s acceptable to ask questions so long as our questions don’t turn into accusations against the Almighty, causing us to take GOD to court. It’s acceptable to express your feelings to GOD so long as you don’t blame GOD for everything wrong. Satan’s questions about GOD’s ways caused him to challenge GOD’s authority and ability. Job had been dangerously close to arriving to that point, but he didn’t. And after hearing from GOD, Job admitted that he was ignorant to most of GOD’s great plans and that he only acted out of frustration due to his ignorance and exhaustion. But Job concluded by stating that he had only heard about GOD before, but now he had seen and personally experienced GOD firsthand — which changed everything! What about you? Is your relationship with the Lord personal? Your relationship with GOD needs to be your own, not one associated with your parents or friends. Is your relationship with the Lord solid or superficial?
And speaking of friends, what about the three friends of Job? During the conversation between GOD and Job, perhaps they felt vindicated and as if GOD came down to defend them against Job. However, GOD reprimanded the friends because they had blathered on and on insensitively without knowing what they were talking about. But because GOD is love (1John 4:8,16), GOD decided not to treat them (or us!) as they deserved to be treated (42:8). Interestingly, GOD said that the friends would be restored after Job prayed for them. In addition, Job was not restored until after he had prayed for his friends. Restoration comes only after repentance and forgiveness! Are you praying for those who have hurt you? Will you forgive them? Remember: we cannot receive forgiveness without first forgiving others (Matthew 6:14-15). And there cannot be restoration without repentance and forgiveness. Think about it: eternity with the Lord (Heaven) is a reunion party to celebrate restoration! Will you be invited? In fact, you have been invited (Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9), but will you accept the invitation? But then there are also many people who desire to be an honored guest at the party yet they will not be able to come in due to the way they lived (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23; Luke 13:22-30).
The story of Job boils down to this: are you using what you don’t understand as an excuse for your lack of trust or disbelief? Don’t allow your lack of understanding to become your lack of faith! This is my simplified statement regarding the book of Job: we need to seek first the Kingdom of GOD and trust in the Lord (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34; Proverbs 3:5-8). We may never know the answers to some of our “why” questions in this lifetime on this Earth; however, by faith we know that we will eventually learn the “why” from the Who and be filled with peace that surpasses all human understanding. Until that Day, we all need each other; in fact, GOD created us for each other. So, let us bond in fellowship and unite as one body to lift up all who have fallen down.
Quest For Truth 
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