False Assumptions

The first false assumption is that God carries out His judgment promptly. We see this false assumption in verses 1-10 and 20-22.

Bildad basically says to Job, "Your children died because they sinned against God. And Job, if you know what is good for you, you would get on his knees before God and beg for mercy for yourself." Bildad supports his claim by telling Job that the ancients teach this also.

Bildad assumed that God promptly rewards the good person and promptly punishes the bad person. Even people who don’t believe in God hold a similar false assumption, that those who do good will receive good in return, and that those who do wrong will receive bad in return.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t match up with this false assumption. And those who hold to this false assumption become quite confused and disillusioned. Some even turn away from God or say, "There is no God."

We have all seen the good person go unrewarded and the bad person go unpunished. If that were not true, practically everyone would be good and no one would be bad.

The person who cheats in your class may get an "A" or an "F." And the honest hard working student in your class may get gets an "A" or an "F." The person who takes other people’s credit at work may get promotion or a reprimand. And one who faithfully works in the company may get a promotion or no recognition at all.

The truth is, God doesn’t carry out his judgment promptly, because God is love and God is patient. Yet, just because God doesn’t balance his books at the end of each day doesn’t mean that God doesn’t balance his books eventually.

Romans 2:4 tells us, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of [God’s] kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?" Paul is saying, don’t confuse God’s love with permission to ignore Him.

2 Peter 3:9-10 tells us, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." Peter is saying, don’t confuse God’s patience with no judgment at all.

Supreme Court Justice Horace Gray once said to the man who escaped conviction on a technicality: "I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law."

Meanwhile, we must not assume that every illness, financial problem or relational problem is God’s judgment. These problems are often the result of neglecting good health, financial and relational principles. The Bible tells us that God is so patient and kind that we could mistake Him for being slow to carry out judgment.

The second false assumption is that those who trust God are free from suffering. We see this false assumption in verses 11-19.