(Job Revisited)
Will you study the book of Job with me for a while? It’s one of the handiest and misunderstood books in the Bible. I’m studying it for personal reasons. I thought I’d invite some of you to join me. Why? Job has something to say about every hardship and trial you suffer, both great and small. People look at Job and inadvertently miss the forest for the trees (like of like the book of Revelation). And in so doing they miss out on wisdom and enablement for living each day God gives them on planet earth.
The story of Job seems an extreme account of unimaginable hardship. To one extent or another, I suppose it is. On the other hand, the title of our study and journey says it all: “Job Happens Every Day to Someone Someplace in Our World.”
So, let’s revisit the book of Job. And as we do this, we can maybe make better sense of our existence (and sufferings) in the days ahead, regardless of their severity.
Let’s talk “ground rules” for our study. As odd as this may sound, I’m going to ask you to rely on the Bible alone. That means no commentaries, YouTube channels, etc. I’ll post my thoughts each week, usually on Wednesday. Let’s study together and grow together. Let’s read our texts, asking, (1) what do the words say; (2) what do the words mean; (3) how then shall we think and live?
Let’s get started!
Job 1:1-5 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
There are good people everywhere, who appear to have it all. But unbeknownst to them life, as they once knew, it is about to come to something of a catastrophic and cataclysmic end. Some are rich, many not so much. Some are parents, although not all are parents. Many might be large scale employers who vast wealth would seem to be such that it should insulate them from most hardship. More than a few have happy, healthy, and intact families (and family relationships) that further buttress and bless them in this momentary life that is, even for the Christ-follower, but a vapor. I’ll wager that among these beautiful and prosperous souls are a number of believers who have walked with God for many years and who have raised their children up in the discipline and nurture of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Such a person was Job of the land of Uz. By all accounts Job lived an exemplary life. He worked hard, conducted himself with integrity, and experienced, materially and spiritually, the favor of God. And Job loved and prayed for his children! What could possibly go wrong?
Why do bad things happen to good people? Karma? Luck? The randomness of the universe? Who knows? God knows! Is there a purpose in our suffering? A point? There is. Spoiler alert: God never wastes a believer’s suffering or hardships. Never. While this reality can be found throughout the Bible, here are two reassuring passages.
James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
We have to be careful with such verses. Some people, well-intentioned people, occasionally cite them undiscerningly to those in the midst of a trial or a hardship—usually telling them to try or pray harder. Some uncharitably call this the “take two Bible verses and call me in the morning approach” to discipleship or counseling. I call the labeling uncharitable as much as I do the exhortation to pray or try harder because I believe such people mean well as those who bristle at their misguided actions (more on this later).
So, why do bad things happen to good people? The same reason good things happen to bad people: for the glory of God. That’s what Jesus tells us in the account of the man born blind from birth. So perhaps we can find some encouragement in that.
John 9:1-3 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
God does not waste our sufferings and hardship. It’s against His nature and character. Do I enjoy hardship? Suffering? Do you? Certainly not. Nevertheless, suffering is part of a fallen world. To one degree or another, we will suffer. Some will suffer more than others. But everyone will suffer to some degree regardless of their context, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and conduct. That’s why I’ve suggested in the title of this study, “Job Happens Every Day to Someone Someplace in Our World.” There has never been a person who walked on this earth that was immune from suffering. That includes Jesus Christ, described by Isaiah as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3)” who “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame… (Hebrews 12:2).” This is the same Jesus who said, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done (Luke 22:42).”
Let’s stop here. Reread what I’ve written. Re-read Job 1:1-5. Do you really think Job, separated from us by language, culture, and the tides of time wasn’t a normal person? Did he not love his kids? Did he not love God? Did he not have responsibilities? And as rich and well set up as Job was: did he not suffer? What was once said of the prophet Elijah can be said of Job, he “was a man with a nature like ours… (James 5:17).” Let’s learn from Job’s suffering together. God has something to say to us both, you and me.