BQ NO. 45 - DOES GOD PERMIT CHRISTIAN SUFFERING? A STUDY OF MORAL LESSONS FROM THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JOB.
By Ezekiel Kimosop
BACKGROUND TO THE BOOK OF JOB
Bible scholars are largely divided concerning the dating and authorship of the Book of Job. Those who place the dating of the book within the Iron Age date it after 1200 BC. Some scholars have identified the book with the period of the reign of King Solomon when wisdom literature was highly valued. Solomon is believed to have written the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Songs of Solomon as well as some of the Psalms. It is however difficult to precisely date the book of Job for the following reasons:
i) The location of the land of Uz has been hard to establish. Some suppose that it may have been an ancient location in Edom which was next to Israel.
ii) Job's lineage is not mentioned in the book or in any other section of Scripture.
ii) The fact that Job offered burnt sacrifices for his children (Job 1:5) has led some scholars to believe that Job may have lived during the time of the patriarchs and not during the period of the kings.
Marauding bands of raiders (Job 1:17) were common during Abraham's day (cf. Gen 14).
iv) Unlike during the age of the kings, there seems to have been no organized religious worship in Job's time. Job, like Abraham, worshipped God alone.
v) The length of Job's life could strongly suggest that he may have lived within the post-Noah generation and probably before Abraham.
WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF JOB?
The identity of the author of Job has also been difficult to determine. According to the NKJV 2007 introduction to Job, several authors have been speculated including King Solomon and two of the Book's characters namely Job and Elihu. Some have mentioned Moses but given the reference to iron tools and weapons (Job 19:24, 20:24, 40:18) and iron ore mining (Job 28:1-2), Moses' authorship of this Book has been seriously discounted. However, if Job pre-existed Abraham and Moses, then this theory could find some merit. There is also a close resemblance between the writings attributed to Solomon and sections of the Book of Job [cf. Job 7:17,18 and Ps.8:4 and Job 28:8 with Prov. 3:7, 9:10].
The Book of Job is largely a poetic/wisdom literature genre which can be loosely classified with the Books of Psalms and the Proverbs.
WHO WAS JOB?
Job the man is no doubt the central character of the book. Job is first introduced in the Book as a wealthy and devout man who caught the attention and approval of God (Job 1:1-5). He is described as blameless, upright and Godfearing (Job 1:1). This does not however suggest that Job was sinless! He was simply morally upright. His family and his wealth is listed in Job 1:2-3).
JOB'S GRUESOME TEST
Job 1:6-12 reports on Satan's attack on Job's character. Satan claims that Job was merely faithful to God because of the material benefits he had received from God and the favors that God had bestowed upon him. God permitted Satan to test the spiritual integrity of Job but not to harm his life (Job 1:12).
We learn from the revelation of New Testament Scripture that nothing ever happens to God's people without God's permissive will and that our Christian suffering ultimately serves God's purposes (Romans 8:28).
Job suffered horrendous destruction in various dimensions as Satan wreaked havoc through sustained attacks on his life and his family. He lost all his children and his entire wealth and was struck with leprosy, leading him to stay in isolation for the period of infection (Job 1:13-2:13).
Surprisingly, Job's reaction to his tragedy was with measured and godly deportment. He kept his cool in the midst of unbearable pain and affliction. This proved that Job was a spiritually mature person whose devotion to God was unquestioningly firm. The writer records that Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:10). This is a biblical confirmation that Job acted righteously even in his worst moments of life. He refused to curse God or blame God for the afflictions.
This proved that God's previous assessment of Job's moral integrity was consistent and accurate. God alone can carry an accurate assessment of our spiritual standing. He alone holds the divine barometer by which he tests the hearts of men (Jeremiah 17:9).
Job rightly recognized and accepted that his suffering was within God's permissive will. This agrees with Paul's statement in 1Cor.10:13. However, Job acted humanly. In the intensity of his pain, he regretted that he was ever born, a claim that indirectly touched on God's sovereignty. He openly expressed his pain and frustration.
Would we have acted any differently?
This perfectly showed his weak human side. Unlike Jesus who perfectly overcame temptation, Job was not perfect or sinless even as he was adjudged upright and blameless by God. This is true of us who are in Christ too. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Only the righteousness of Christ can effectively shield us from God's condemnation (Romans 8:1-2).
THE PAIN INFLICTED BY JOB'S FRIENDS
Two of Job's three friends who visited him did not make matters any better for him. One of his friends called Eliphaz openly attributed Job's sufferings to some sin that Job may have committed. God later disproves this claim (Job 42:7). Eliphaz could not identify the specific sin but his claim was based on his limited understanding of sin and divine punishment. He could not comprehend that God can bring trials upon the righteous. He ought to have known better! His theology about God was limited by his narrow human understanding.
Eliphaz's claim is recorded in Job 4-5. One question is noteworthy in his long dialogue with Job: "can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? (Job 4:17). Eliphaz goes on to argue that if angels of God can err, [which is true about Satan], how much more can an earthly mortal be found with sin and error?
These words reveal one of the most powerful scriptural truths that is affirmed in the New Testament Scriptures that teaches that no human being can be perfect in God's eyes apart from Christ. All have been declared sinful in Adam [1 John 1:8-10, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 3:23].
The dialogue or discourse between Job and his friends runs through to Job 37 and reveals their amazing depth of theological revelation and wisdom. This leaves no doubt that this Book was inspired by the Holy Spirit!
THE WISDOM OF YOUTHFUL ELIHU
Elihu, who was the youngest of Job's three friends, spoke awesome truths about God and God later vindicated him by requiting him of any blame. He condemned the self righteousness of men and proclaimed God's goodness, impartiality and majesty (Job 34-37). This was an amazing piece of wisdom coming from a young man!
Spiritual wisdom can defy human age and experience. It is the gift of God. Paul told Timothy never to allow anyone to despise him on account his youthfulness but to firmly teach and rebuke all alike without partiality. A minister may be a young man, perhaps unmarried. However, their youthfulness cannot affect the discharge of their spiritual mandate that God has bestowed upon them.
GOD REBUKES AND HUMBLES JOB
When God finally speaks for the first time to Job in Job 38-39, He appears to affirm Eĺihu's thoughts. He reveals His omnipotence and sovereignty tin His conversation with Job. Job is finally confounded and admits that his wisdom was nothing compared with God's. He kept silent in God's presence.
When God speaks no mortal can dare answer Him back.
Job exclaims in awesome fear: "Behold I am vile; what would I answer you? I lay my hand over my mouth." (Job 40:4). None of us has any legitimate standing or the right of reply in God's presence! We ought to be still for He is God (Ex. 14:14).
God goes on to demonstrate His divine omnipotence over all creation.
In Job 42, Job repents of his foolishness and is apparently forgiven (Job 42:1-6).
GOD REBUKES JOB'S TWO FRIENDS
Job's two friends are sharply rebuked by God for their foolishness and are ordered to take oxen as burnt offerings and go to Job who will pray for them lest God's wrath falls upon them! Notice that for the second time God fondly refers to Job as "my servant". None of Job's friends enjoyed that privilege!
Those who faithfully serve God and fear Him have a special relationship with Him. Moses enjoyed this status in the presence of God. When Moses was rebuked by his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron for marrying an Ethiopian woman and Miriam arrogantly question his leadership mandate, God swiftly came to his defense and Miriam was sharply rebuked and slapped with leprosy!
Job was commanded to pray for his two friends Eliphaz and Bildad. By this act, God affirmed the priesthood of Job. The Bible proclaims that the church is a royal priesthood in Christ. Do we often pray for those who offend us?
Surprisingly Elihu, the youngest of the three men was spared the wrath of God, suggesting that his theological prudence was approved of God! Divine wisdom defies human wisdom. Age is not necessarily an indicator of spiritual wisdom. Divine wisdom is spiritually discerned by consistent and prayerful search of Scripture and by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Do you have time for the study of the word of God? How is your view of God? Is it biblically sound or severely wanting in some sense?
We should neither blame God for our pain nor misrepresent His divine truths in the Scriptures at the altar of convenience! God takes great exception to those who distort the truth of God's word for selfish purposes. If they do not repent, they will be severely punished.
THE RESTORATION OF JOB
The restoration of Job is recorded in Job 42:10-16. God restored Job's material loss on a twofold basis. Notice that his children born to him after his tragedy were not doubled in number. Some Bible scholars suggest that Job's children were not lost eternally but that their souls were preserved in the presence of God (cf. 2 Samuel 12:23).
Job's family came to comfort him for the adversity that God had, by His permissive will, brought upon him and to celebrate his divine restoration. This teaches us that no matter how much disadvantage we suffer in this world, God will ultimately restore us in Christ.
Job lived a further 140 years, long enough to see four generations of his children.
MORAL LESSONS FEOM THE STORY OF JOB
The book of Job is rich in moral and spiritual lessons. We shall identify just a few for the purpose of this article.
1) THE TESTING OF THE RIGHTEOUS
We learn from the story of Job that no believer can escape the trials that God reserves for His saints. This should lead us to view Christian trials and afflictions in a positive sense. There was no specific sin that triggered the trial of Job. God alone permitted for his divine purposes (cf. James 1:2-4). It is therefore unbiblical to attribute to Satan every trial we undergo. Christians will and do often suffer in ways that God alone permits. We should therefore be patient in suffering even as we pray for divine relief.
2) NO BELIEVER IS PERFECT.
The fact that we may not recollect any specific sin does not in itself imply that we are sinless or perfect in God's sight. No one is ever without sin except Christ! We are justified by God's grace in Christ (cf. 1John 1:7-10).
The Bible teaches that Christ was tempted in every possible way yet was without sin.
The Bible further teaches that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ (Hebrews 4:15; 2Cor. 5:21). The Bible declares that our righteousnesses [apart from Christ's] are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot please God by our own efforts. The theology of works taught by the Roman Catholic Church is misleading and unbiblical. No one is justified by good deeds but only by the grace of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3) THE FOLLY OF HUMAN WISDOM
Eliphaz and Bildad applied their human wisdom in their attempt to describe the nature and the working of God. They miserably failed. This is perfectly what this evil world tries to do in seeking to portray a false picture of who God is. Any portrayal of God outside the picture revealed in the Bible is false and corrupted.
For instance, scientists and philosophers have attempted to explain the nature and origin of the universe through scientific existential theories but they failed to offer convincing findings. The Bible teaches in 1 Cor. 1:19 that God will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. The revelation of God can only be discerned through the word of God and not through scientific research or human philosophy.
The Bible contains the full and final revelation of God to man through Jesus Christ.
Those who reject or ridicule the divine works of Jesus Christ are lost in depravity and, like Eliphaz and Bildad, can only be restored to God though the High Priesthood of Christ. Nothing but the blood of Jesus can cleanse sin. Job was therefore a foreshadow of Christ.
4) SATAN IS THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN (Rev.12:10).
We should always glorify God because our eternal security is anchored in Christ. Satan was defeated at Calvary. His word of deceit does not count anymore. Only Christ's blood speaks better things than Abel's does (Hebrews 12:24). The Bible asks in Romans 8:33, "who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." There is absolutely nothing to fear if we are in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We are forever hooked to Christ.
5) THE RESTORATION OF JOB
The restoration of Job reminds us of our final restoration in which Christ will usher us into eternal glory when He shall be revealed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
The Bible proclaims in Romans 8:17 that "If children [of God], then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him [Christ], that we may be glorified together."
Nothing is more assuring than to know that even as we suffer in this passing evil world, we shall ultimately reign with Christ forever! (Rev. 20:6).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the book of Job mirrors the sufferings of Christ and His saints and the reward that awaits us in heaven. This world will neither understand us fully nor adequately explain the secret of the joy that we have in Christ which we graciously possess by His Spirit. God alone fully knows us in every conceivable dimension.
Satan cannot circumvent our destiny in Christ. His fate is sealed and his destiny is in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). Let us therefore rejoice that our hope is secure and our future sealed in Christ because, as Scripture teaches, "we are dead to this world and our life is hid with Christ in God" (Col.3:3).
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2019
GOD REBUKES AND HUMBLES JOB
When God finally speaks for the first time to Job in Job 38-39, He appears to affirm Eĺihu's thoughts. He reveals His omnipotence and sovereignty tin His conversation with Job. Job is finally confounded and admits that his wisdom was nothing compared with God's. He kept silent in God's presence.
When God speaks no mortal can dare answer Him back.
Job exclaims in awesome fear: "Behold I am vile; what would I answer you? I lay my hand over my mouth." (Job 40:4). None of us has any legitimate standing or the right of reply in God's presence! We ought to be still for He is God (Ex. 14:14).
God goes on to demonstrate His divine omnipotence over all creation.
In Job 42, Job repents of his foolishness and is apparently forgiven (Job 42:1-6).
GOD REBUKES JOB'S TWO FRIENDS
Job's two friends are sharply rebuked by God for their foolishness and are ordered to take oxen as burnt offerings and go to Job who will pray for them lest God's wrath falls upon them! Notice that for the second time God fondly refers to Job as "my servant". None of Job's friends enjoyed that privilege!
Those who faithfully serve God and fear Him have a special relationship with Him. Moses enjoyed this status in the presence of God. When Moses was rebuked by his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron for marrying an Ethiopian woman and Miriam arrogantly question his leadership mandate, God swiftly came to his defense and Miriam was sharply rebuked and slapped with leprosy!
Job was commanded to pray for his two friends Eliphaz and Bildad. By this act, God affirmed the priesthood of Job. The Bible proclaims that the church is a royal priesthood in Christ. Do we often pray for those who offend us?
Surprisingly Elihu, the youngest of the three men was spared the wrath of God, suggesting that his theological prudence was approved of God! Divine wisdom defies human wisdom. Age is not necessarily an indicator of spiritual wisdom. Divine wisdom is spiritually discerned by consistent and prayerful search of Scripture and by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Do you have time for the study of the word of God? How is your view of God? Is it biblically sound or severely wanting in some sense?
We should neither blame God for our pain nor misrepresent His divine truths in the Scriptures at the altar of convenience! God takes great exception to those who distort the truth of God's word for selfish purposes. If they do not repent, they will be severely punished.
THE RESTORATION OF JOB
The restoration of Job is recorded in Job 42:10-16. God restored Job's material loss on a twofold basis. Notice that his children born to him after his tragedy were not doubled in number. Some Bible scholars suggest that Job's children were not lost eternally but that their souls were preserved in the presence of God (cf. 2 Samuel 12:23).
Job's family came to comfort him for the adversity that God had, by His permissive will, brought upon him and to celebrate his divine restoration. This teaches us that no matter how much disadvantage we suffer in this world, God will ultimately restore us in Christ.
Job lived a further 140 years, long enough to see four generations of his children.
MORAL LESSONS FEOM THE STORY OF JOB
The book of Job is rich in moral and spiritual lessons. We shall identify just a few for the purpose of this article.
1) THE TESTING OF THE RIGHTEOUS
We learn from the story of Job that no believer can escape the trials that God reserves for His saints. This should lead us to view Christian trials and afflictions in a positive sense. There was no specific sin that triggered the trial of Job. God alone permitted for his divine purposes (cf. James 1:2-4). It is therefore unbiblical to attribute to Satan every trial we undergo. Christians will and do often suffer in ways that God alone permits. We should therefore be patient in suffering even as we pray for divine relief.
2) NO BELIEVER IS PERFECT.
The fact that we may not recollect any specific sin does not in itself imply that we are sinless or perfect in God's sight. No one is ever without sin except Christ! We are justified by God's grace in Christ (cf. 1John 1:7-10).
The Bible teaches that Christ was tempted in every possible way yet was without sin.
The Bible further teaches that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ (Hebrews 4:15; 2Cor. 5:21). The Bible declares that our righteousnesses [apart from Christ's] are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot please God by our own efforts. The theology of works taught by the Roman Catholic Church is misleading and unbiblical. No one is justified by good deeds but only by the grace of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3) THE FOLLY OF HUMAN WISDOM
Eliphaz and Bildad applied their human wisdom in their attempt to describe the nature and the working of God. They miserably failed. This is perfectly what this evil world tries to do in seeking to portray a false picture of who God is. Any portrayal of God outside the picture revealed in the Bible is false and corrupted.
For instance, scientists and philosophers have attempted to explain the nature and origin of the universe through scientific existential theories but they failed to offer convincing findings. The Bible teaches in 1 Cor. 1:19 that God will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. The revelation of God can only be discerned through the word of God and not through scientific research or human philosophy.
The Bible contains the full and final revelation of God to man through Jesus Christ.
Those who reject or ridicule the divine works of Jesus Christ are lost in depravity and, like Eliphaz and Bildad, can only be restored to God though the High Priesthood of Christ. Nothing but the blood of Jesus can cleanse sin. Job was therefore a foreshadow of Christ.
4) SATAN IS THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN (Rev.12:10).
We should always glorify God because our eternal security is anchored in Christ. Satan was defeated at Calvary. His word of deceit does not count anymore. Only Christ's blood speaks better things than Abel's does (Hebrews 12:24). The Bible asks in Romans 8:33, "who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." There is absolutely nothing to fear if we are in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We are forever hooked to Christ.
5) THE RESTORATION OF JOB
The restoration of Job reminds us of our final restoration in which Christ will usher us into eternal glory when He shall be revealed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
The Bible proclaims in Romans 8:17 that "If children [of God], then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him [Christ], that we may be glorified together."
Nothing is more assuring than to know that even as we suffer in this passing evil world, we shall ultimately reign with Christ forever! (Rev. 20:6).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the book of Job mirrors the sufferings of Christ and His saints and the reward that awaits us in heaven. This world will neither understand us fully nor adequately explain the secret of the joy that we have in Christ which we graciously possess by His Spirit. God alone fully knows us in every conceivable dimension.
Satan cannot circumvent our destiny in Christ. His fate is sealed and his destiny is in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). Let us therefore rejoice that our hope is secure and our future sealed in Christ because, as Scripture teaches, "we are dead to this world and our life is hid with Christ in God" (Col.3:3).
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2019
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