Why Did God Let Job Suffer?

JOB 1:6-12 "WHY DID GOD LET JOB SUFFER?"

A) The very name of Job means persecuted! * Oldest book in the Bible, written by Moses.

* The days of Job were probably about the time of Abraham! * Job was a very wealthy man!

* Numerous children and abundant livestock were symbols of wealth in that day.

B) He had 10 children, 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen & 500 girl donkeys!

* God richly blessed Job and Job was the greatest of all the men of the East - v.1-3

C) There are some reasons why God allowed Job to suffer!

* The word "suffer" means to have pain, grief or injury, to experience harm or loss.

* I don’t know of anyone who suffered more than Job did other than Christ!

* Let me tell you why God let Job suffer the things that he did:

(1) TO SILENCE SATAN! * v.6-8 God questions Satan! * Rev.12:10 " ... accuser of ..."

* Job is not aware of the fact that a conference has taken place concerning him!

A) In v.7 compared to 1 Pet.5:8 * When do lions roar? * When they’re seeking prey?

* No! They sneak upon them & kill them, then they roar! * Satan is like that!

B) v.8 "Perfect" not in the sense of being sinless, but ... being devoted to God ...!

* "Upright" means straight! * He was morally right with God and man!

* "Feareth God" means reverent! * "Escheweth evil" means to depart, get away from!

C) In v.9-11 Satan answered God! * Job, his family, and property were hedged about

by the special care of God! * The hedge here ... are angels! * Ps.34:7 "The angel ..."

* We may not see the angel that encampeth ... but the devil does!

* Satan cannot get to us until God allows him to!

D) So, in v.12 God turns the devil loose on Job! * v.13 - The suffering begins

* 1st: Loss of property - 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen & 500 donkeys were

all stolen or burned up with fire from heaven!

* The richest man in the East had, in one day, become bankrupt!

E) 2nd: Loss of family - 7 sons & 3 daughters, all killed by a tornado!

* Now, look at v.20-22! * Job worshipped God, he didn’t get bitter at God!

F) Now, look in 2:4-8 ... Job lost his health! * He was covered with a dreadful disease!

* Satan touched every inch of Job’s body! * His entire body was one big sore!

* If there wasn’t something supernatural about faith in God, Job couldn’t have survived .......!

G) Then, loss of position! * He has been stripped of everything but his life!

* The greatest man of the East has now become the most loathsome object in the East!

H) Loss of sympathy - v.9! * "Integrity" is honesty, upright, sincerity!

* His wife, the only comfort left him, turns out to be a canker!

* She can’t understand faith in God in circumstances like these!

* The devil’s last weight to break the back of Job’s integrity!

I) But v.10, Job kindly rebuked his wife! * Don’t be too hard on her .......!

* Now, here’s my point, Job suffered in order to silence Satan!

* Satan speaks no more after v.7 of Chpt.2! * James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore ......."

J) "Submit" means to yield, surrender! * "Resist" means do not yield, do not surrender!

* Don’t give into him! * Satan can’t lead us into sin against our will!

(2) SO JOB MIGHT SEE GOD! * Look at Job 42:5 "I have heard of ... mine eye seeth thee."

* Keep in mind, Job didn’t have the Book of Job to help him understand!

A) So, put yourself in his shoes for a few moments!

* Job could only guess why he was going through so many trials!

* He might not understand why, but he believed in his God!

B) Everyone sees God in suffering! * Some blame God, curse God ,

* Some get angry at God, and some pout and wont talk to God! * Job saw God!

(3) SO JOB MIGHT SEE HIMSELF! * Job 40:4 * Job 42:6

* Suffering will make you look at yourself! * Lk.15:17 "And when he came to himself ......."

A) It will produce humility! * See yourself and be humble!

* Isa. 6:5 "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the king, the

Lord of Hosts."

(4) SO JOB WOULD PRAY FOR HIS CRITICS RATHER THAN LASHING OUT!