Why does God let bad things happen to good people? - What do you do when the bottom falls out in your life? Do you remain faithful in your suffering? Do you blame God or bless Him? What do you do when God is silent? These questions were addressed by the earliest book to be written down in all of the Bible - predates Moses.
Job is no ordinary guy - cross between Bill Gates and Mother Theresa
JOB 29:11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, 12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. 13 The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. 14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. ... 21 "Men listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel. 22 After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears. 23 They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain. 24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. 25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.
Job 1 - The Wager Pt. 1
On hearing the news of his family’s destruction
vs. 21 "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 2 - The Wager Pt. 2
Skin for skin - wife caves "Curse God and die" Consider all the petty reasons we curse - complain.
Tell your neighbor about something petty you complained about - now tell them "I’m sorry"
Vs. 10 You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
3 friends arrive for a visit - entered his grief - not a word for 7 days
They try to make sense of his suffering, giving common sense but not really helping
Their theology is not too solid - but we hear it all the time
You are suffering because of your sin - You are suffering because God wants to punish you
Sin does bring about suffering - hairpin electrocution - I didn’t even know I wanted to stick hairpins in sockets. Paul said the law exposed his disobedience
But the reverse is not true that suffering is only because of sin. Innocent people suffer all the time.
Job 3 - Job Speaks
Suffering distorts memory and reality
Vs. 25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
Job 4 & 5 Eliphaz responds
Why waver - follow your course - no one is pure - God regards the good and punishes the wicked.
JOB 5:17 "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 18 For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.
Job 6 & 7 Job’s rebuttal
Not as simple as that - I am innocent - God put me out of my misery
JOB 6:24 "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.
Job 8 - Bildad speaks
Your kids’ mistakes cost them their lives
JOB 8:4 When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
Job 9 & 10 God is Silent
Job really wants a chance to plead his case before God but Either He can’t hear me or I can’t hear Him. That must mean that God doesn’t care. God must have been looking for the opportunity when Job screwed up to punish him.
Job 11 - Zophar speaks
Coming to God’s defense, you undoubtedly are being punished for sin - there are only two kinds of people
Repentant worshippers and arrogant sinners
Job 12-14 Job’s reply
Not all suffering is due to sin - wicked sometimes prosper, righteous often suffer at their hand. Great affirmation of faith - first reference to Jesus
JOB 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
Job 20 - Zophar tries to correct him
Wicked may prosper, but God will judge them and they will be punished, this is what is happening to you
Job 32-36 Elihu - newcomer - talks some sense into everyone
Job is out of line, not for past sins, but for attacking God for reconsidering the worth of living a righteous life
Job 37 God speaks up
WOW (sound effects?)
Suffering changes you - there is no doubt
Suffering happens - you can’t stop it - what you can do something about is how you respond to it
Focus on how you will allow it to change you
In the end - Satan’s challenge and attack is used by God to sharpen and fortify Job’s character
While Job appears to be a book about suffering - the surprise ending clearly shows it is a book about the sovereignty of God. What Job learns in the midst of his suffering, learns in a way that no other circumstances could have taught him, is that God is not only all powerful, all wise, all righteous, but He is good.
Why do the righteous suffer? Because sin and Satan are both real.
What good does suffering do?
It strengthens our endurance
It silences the enemy’s accusation
It gives God glory
It makes us more like Jesus
It teaches us true dependence
It purifies our lives
It rebukes our sin
It enlarges our heart towards others
