The Book Of Job
- The background (Job 1:1-5)
“There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.” Job 1:1-5 NLT
- The tests (1:6-2:10)
“Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:9-10 NASB 95
- Job’s response (Job 3-37)
“Why does God bother giving light to the miserable, why bother keeping bitter people alive, those who want in the worst way to die, and can’t, who can’t imagine anything better than death, who count the day of their death and burial the happiest day of their life? What’s the point of life when it doesn’t make sense, when God blocks all the roads to meaning? “Instead of bread I get groans for my supper, then leave the table and vomit my anguish. The worst of my fears has come true, what I’ve dreaded most has happened. My repose is shattered, my peace destroyed. No rest for me, ever—death has invaded life.” Job 3:23-26 MSG
God doesn’t cause suffering; the mystery is why He allows it.
“Suffering is not a problem for all religions. It is an acute problem for the Judeo-Christian tradition because we believe that God is both good and all powerful.” Nicky Gumbel
Why is suffering a part of the human experience?
I don’t know/It’s hard to comprehend
It is the result of our own sin
It is the result of the sin of other’s
It is the result of a fallen and broken world
“The point of Job is focusing on how God works in the world not how He works things out in heaven.” John Walton
- His friends’ response
- Eliphaz: Seek God
- Bildad: Stop whining
- Zophar: You must have sinned
- Elihu: Try harder
- Wife: Curse God and die
- God’s response
“Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?” Job 40:8 NLT
“After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” Job 42:7 NLT
- The power of hope
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” Job 19:25-27 NLT
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…” Job 16:15 NASB 95
What can I learn from Job?
- I need to grieve my loss (Job 1:20-22)
- I need to accept my loss (Job 2:8-20)
“God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best for us. And in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.” Jerry Bridges
- I need to let God redeem my loss
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB 95
“Can good result from a bad experience? If so, then it is not the experience of loss that becomes the defining moment of our lives, it is how we respond to the loss that matters. That response will largely determine the quality, the direction, and the impact of our lives.” Jerry Sitzer