Day 5 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Job 1–3
Why do the Innocent or Righteous Suffer?
The loss of a baby or other loved ones by an untimely death is devastating. Other difficult things to deal with are the loss of a business, land value or property, personal health, respect from your mate, and loss of friends. Imagine all of this happening within a week or even a month. Catastrophe! When this happens to an evil person, we might think, Good, he deserved it! God is paying him back for all the wrongs he committed. But when catastrophe strikes an innocent, good and kind person, we shake our heads in wonder. Why did this happen? Where is God in all this? Today we begin the book of Job (his name is pronounced with a long vowel sound). The theme is, “Why Do the Righteous or Innocent Suffer?”
Why are we studying Job now?
“Wait a minute,” you might say. “We were in the early chapters of the book of Genesis yesterday, and today we are in the book of Job. Isn’t Job in the middle of our Bible—why are we studying it now?” That is an excellent question. Remember, we are studying the Bible chronologically, not according to the literary style (genre). Almost all Bibles put Job in the middle, next to the other poetical books—Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon—because it is written in that style. Chronologically, however, Job’s lived at the time of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (more...).
Job's character
Job is a good man, a man who always does what is right. He fears God and shuns evil. People see his integrity in business and how fairly he treats his workers. He becomes very wealthy, but he shares it with widows and becomes like a father to the orphans. He has a beautiful family and intercedes for them in daily prayer. Even God is impressed with Job’s character, and so he increases his blessing upon him. Everything is going well with Job.
Most of his neighbors love Job, but as we will see in future Bible readings, some are jealous and mock him— their lives are not so good. They would like to bring Job down, and so would an evil spiritual being called Satan or the devil. He was once the highest of angels until he tried to become God and get his own following. God casts him and his evil angels out of heaven, but he requires Satan to occasionally report back to him.
The devil's devices
The devil roams around “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8), and Job’s righteousness galls him. Satan’s desire is to tempt Job to curse the Almighty by removing his hedge of protection. God allows Satan to test Job, and he seems confident that he will pass the test. Then the devil removes almost everything dear to Job—his family, business, and reputation. However, to Satan’s confusion and embarrassment, Job still retains his integrity.
What is Job’s attitude toward all his losses? Job responds, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21, NIV). Wow! That is not a natural response. It takes a strong, trusting relationship with the LORD to respond like that!
These chronological Bible studies encourage us to be consistently in God’s Word, so we might know him better, depend on him, and pray. As the gospel artist Mark Bishop sings, “If we need God on the bigger days, we need to Pray on the Little Days.” That inspirational song can be found on Youtube™ and is well-worth watching.
Frustrated with his first attempt to embarrass God, Satan tells God that Job would curse him to his face if he were suffering physically. Again, God allows it but doesn’t explain his reasons. We get a clue at the end of Job’s story.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Where is God?
We cannot perceive the LORD at work, so we wonder if he is aware of our troubles. But the LORD does see and is concerned (Psalm 139). Later, we might understand what God is doing, but not now. God allows some of us to go through great trials, pain, and humiliation. I have suffered and seen others suffer like that (though not to Job’s extent). Perhaps you have, too.
Job’s wife, having suffered the loss of all her children, riches and respect, and the failure of her husband’s health, counsels him to curse God and die. Before we are too judgmental about Job’s wife, would we be any different in the same circumstances?
Job rebukes his wife, saying, “‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said” (Job 2:10, NIV).
Do we have a personal relationship with God? (more...) He can give us strength in our trials. The Holy Spirit can be our comforter and counselor (John 14:16-17). Instead of a natural response of cursing or abandoning God, he can help us to respond with faith and trust.What do we do when we see others suffer calamity and hardships?
Job’s friends come to comfort him and are so appalled at Job’s appearance that they can’t speak. For seven long days, they keep their mouths shut and just sit with him. Job’s friends have the right perspective, at first. They have come to comfort him. Sometimes that is all the person needs; he just needs someone to listen, even to grievous or irrational speech. Job feels so bad he wants to die. He curses the day of his birth. He wishes he had been stillborn.
People say many things when they are in great distress, and we just need to let them talk and sympathize with their feelings, but this is not what Job’s friends do. Instead, they accuse him of somehow offending God. If Job was innocent, would God punish him? No. Are Job’s friends, right? We will discover the answers in our next lessons.
Why do the righteous suffer? Although we may have some theological answers, we must admit that we do not know what God is thinking in particular situations. We should, therefore, reserve judgment and focus on being sympathetic to the one who is suffering.
Discussion
What did we learn about Satan or the devil?
If we are righteous, is everyone happy about that? Why or why not?
What should we do when we see others suffering?
Focus Verses
Romans 12:15 (NIV) “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Job 1:21 (NIV) “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Here is another encouraging song sung by Jason Crabb
footnote: Satan is called by many names in the Scripture. In Revelation 20:2 God calls Satan the dragon, the devil, and that ancient serpent (referring to the serpent in the garden of Eden who deceived Eve). In Revelation 12:10 he is referred to as the accuser of the brothers (Christians).
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Father in heaven, you are holy and righteous in all your ways, even if we don’t understand what you are doing or why you are allowing bad things to happen. Let our dependence on you draw others into your kingdom. May our perfect will be done. Even if we can’t see what you are doing, may we trust in your wisdom and providence. Please meet our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs so we can praise your great name. Forgive us for cursing when we suffer and for not trusting fully in you. Forgive us if we take our frustrations out on others as Job’s wife did. Help us forgive as we have been forgiven and not be tempted to blame you or shake our fist at you when we suffer. Please strengthen, guide, and comfort us. May we live for your kingdom and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead:What can we say to those who are suffering? Join us in our next Bible study from Job to learn how to speak Appropriate Words to them.
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