Job suffered, perhaps more than anyone else in the Old Testament. Just listen to what we read about his situation in (Job 1:13-19): “One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’ While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’”
In addition, we read in (Job 2:7): “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.”
As one reads the book of Job we realize early on that God allowed Satan to afflict Job with all of these calamities, to show Satan that even when things got very difficult for Job, he could still serve God despite intense suffering. Throughout the rest of the book of Job we read the dialogues between Job and his friends as they try to figure out why Job was going though such intense trials and suffering. And while Job held to his integrity before God he was left clueless as to why he had to suffer so much since he had such a high standing before God, for we read in (Job 1:1): “…This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”
Near the end of the book of Job rather than God giving Job an answer to why he had to endure so much suffering, God spends several chapters in the book of Job showing Job His power and sovereignty over the affairs of man. As a result of seeing just who God is, Job says: “Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ‘You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.’” (Job 42:1-6).
Pastor Tim Keller insightfully comments here: “Job never saw why he suffered, but he saw God, and that was enough.”1 My friends it is so important to understand that God is in sovereign control of the universe, that He loves us so much, and that He often uses suffering to help grow our faith and advance His kingdom. Once we truly grasp these truths we won’t require to always have an answer to why we often go through trials and sufferings as Christians.
In closing I pray you take time to read and meditate on the following quote by R. C. Sproul. I believe it captures the essence of the book of Job: “Ultimately the only answer God gave to job was a revelation of Himself. It was as if God said to him, ‘Job, I am your answer.’ Job was not asked to trust a plan but a person, a personal God who is sovereign, wise, and good. It was as if God said to Job: ‘Learn who I am. When you know me, you know enough to handle anything.’”2
1 TOP 25 SUFFERING QUOTES (of 1000) | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
2 Inspirational Quotes by R. C. Sproul – page 3 (bibleportal.com)