Suffering: A Study in JobSample

What does it say?

God’s questions challenged Job to see his limited wisdom to administer justice and his limited power to handle powerful creatures, such as the behemoth and the leviathan.

What does it mean?

In a profound act of grace, God met with Job and gave him a chance to state his case. Admitting his unworthiness, Job stopped talking and started listening. God’s questioning helped Job see his inability to handle matters of justice for all the moral issues of the world. Job’s faith had wavered, and he needed a reminder that God always administers justice fairly. Instead of addressing the “why?” of Job’s trials, God appealed to his mind and heart with the rhetorical question, “Can you....?” No, Job could not – but he could rest in the wisdom and power of his all-sufficient Lord.

How should I respond?

God, in His grace, recorded Job’s experiences to help us understand that we may never understand some things in this earthly life. We often question why good people suffer while evil people seem to prosper. We often wonder, “How did that person get that job, promotion, or recognition?” How has your faith wavered because life doesn’t seem fair? Remember, the final chapter of our lives is still in process. God does reward obedience – but not always on this side of life. Will you trust God’s promise, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9)?