Why Does Job Suffer? - Job Chapter Eight Series

Jewels From Job

Job – Chapter #8

As we continue through the book of Job, I want us to do a quick review.

In Job chapter 1 and 2 we are told how the suffering of Job comes about. There is a counsel before God and God allows Satan to put Job to the test. Remember Job is not given the insight that we have. Job does not know why he is suffering. We are told that his suffering comes from Satan – but God allows it. His suffering is a test of his faithfulness to God. At the end of chapter 2 Job’s wife speaks and Job’s friends show up.

In Job chapter 3, Job opens his mouth for the first time. He curses the day that he was born.

In Job chapter 4 and 5 the prevalent theology of the day is presented by Eliphaz. The theology is: “The righteous do not suffer.” If one is suffering – the suffering comes because he or she has sinned against God. Suffering therefore is a result of God’s judgment.

In Job chapter 6 and 7 Job claims his innocence.

We now enter Job chapter 8 where another character is about to speak.

1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 "How long will you speak these things, And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? Job 8:1-2 (NKJV)

WHY DOES JOB SUFFER?

Bildad now speaks to Job. He tells Job that he is nothing more then a bag of wind.

Bildad’s theology is the same as Eliphaz’. They both believe that a person suffers because they deserve it. In their minds suffering is sent to a person as a matter of punishment for their sins. Suffering becomes a matter of God’s justice. Bildad and Eliphaz both believe that those who have not sinned will not suffer. The question is, “Does suffering come upon a person only because they have sinned?” We know that all of mankind suffers. We live in a fallen world. Sin has affected everyone.

I often use this illustration:

If something terrible happens to my grandparents would it affect me? If God told my great, great, great, great, great, great, (x2000 {just a random number}) grandparents NOT to get in the car and go down a certain road because the bridge was out – and they did it anyway – and died. Would it affect me? Of course it would. I would never have been born.

When Adam and Eve went down the wrong road and they died spiritually – it affected me. I was born spiritually dead. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12 (HCSB) Not only was I affected by the sin of Adam – I now am born with the desire and nature to sin. I sin because I have inherited a sinful nature.

3 Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? 4 If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression. 5 If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplication to the Almighty, 6 If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place. 7 Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. Job 8:3-7 (NKJV)

DOES GOD PERVERT JUSTICE?

Bildad’s argument starts with the belief that “God is a God of justice.” This is a true statement – but the fact that God is a God of justice does not restrain bad things from happening to us. In Job’s case his suffering is not a matter of punishment or justice. Job’s suffering is due to the fact the "Life is a Test". In chapters one and two if you remember Satan was allow to cause the suffering to test Job to see if he will remain faithful to God.

Notice that Bildad says that Job’s children got what they deserve. How cruel is this statement? Would you tell a neighbor whose home has burned to the ground, "Well you must have sinned and you got what you deserve." Note: If Job’s children have sinned the Bible does not state it. How often we say, “Well they had it coming to them. They brought it on themselves.” When we say this we have made ourselves judge of the person and the situation. Whenever someone is suffering, we should be weeping because of their suffering, rather than being judgmental.

In the NKJV notice the three "ifs" of Bildad.

1. If your sons sinned – they deserved what happened to them.

2. If you seek God.

3. If you were pure and upright.

4. Then – God would take care of you.