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God allowed Job to suffer to teach the lesson that those who live righteously are subject to the same afflictions in this life as all others. When evil comes upon others we are not to assume that they are receiving punishment because they deserve it. Job’s three friends argued that because Job was suffering he must have done something evil to deserve it. This erroneous view is widely held.
We encounter it in the New Testament.
Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
It is when we suffer affliction that our faith is tried as Job’s was.
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Job’s hope was fixed on the life to come at the resurrection of the dead. He trusted in God for the reward to come and accepted that both good and evil were a necessary part of this life.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job 13:15 Though he (God) slay me, yet will I trust in him:
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
The resurrection from the dead was the reason that Abraham was prepared to be a sojourner and have no fixed abode in Canaan even though the land was promised to him for an eternal possession.
Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
The resurrection from the dead was the reason that Abraham was prepared to slay his son when God tried him.
Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
All who will live Godly lives will suffer affliction of some kind to try their faith.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Both good and evil come from God and are necessary to form a character which is acceptable to God.
Acts 14:22 ...exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Those who have believed the gospel and been baptised into Christ have the assurance that they will not suffer more than they are able to bear (even though it may appear to be).
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation (trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
They have the assurance that all things will work for good.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
In Christ nothing that we endure in this life will separate us from the love of God.
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It was for the joy set before him that Jesus endured crucifixion.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When terrible things happen to us in this life we are to remember what Christ and Job endured and take courage and maintain our trust in God.
James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience (endurance) of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
The hope of the gospel is not peace and prosperity in this life, but eternal life in the kingdom which will be established on the earth when Christ returns.
1 Corinthians 15:19-23 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
I hope you have found this helpful.
God bless,
Glenn
