Preview of the Gospel According to Job

I have enjoyed not only the writing of this devotional but also the reading of Job. I think what I enjoyed the most about the book is the growth of Job and his unwavering commitment to his integrity. True, Job does not understand a great deal about what was going on in his life (or a great deal of what he was saying either for that matter), but Job was a man who was fiercely devoted to his integrity and I admire that about him. His example for us is important because he was not unwilling to learn, be corrected, challenged or grow in his faith.

The book of Job is a book that discusses the reality of suffering in our world. To be honest though suffering is at best a minor theme in the book. True Job suffers a lot. Of this there is no mistaking. But read the book carefully in light of chapters 1, 2, & 38-42. What we learn in chapters 1 & 2 is that the enemy is involved in suffering. It strikes me though that God gives the enemy permission to afflict Job. I believe that the enemy does not really care one way or another if his case was won. I think he simply enjoyed watching Job suffer.

The conversation between Almighty and the enemy is intriguing. The point of the conversation was not whether or not a person could suffer, or should suffer or even whether or not a person could endure suffering as such. The point of the conversation between Almighty and the enemy was whether or not Job would curse God just because he was afflicted. The enemy wrongly believed (evidently on two separate occasions) that the only reason Job served God was because of the stuff Job had. The enemy wrongly assumed that it is impossible for a human being to love, worship and serve God out of pure motives, that is, without being bribed by God. This is not only a shallow opinion of Job, but, even worse, it is a shallow opinion of God. A careful reading of the book of Job shows that the book is much, much more about God Almighty than it is about Job or any man or woman who suffers. What is at stake here is God's right to run the universe the way He sees fit.

Nevertheless, this begs the question: What is your motivation for serving God? Suppose the worst case scenario happened in your life as was the case with Job. If all you possessed and loved was suddenly taken away from you would you continue to love and serve God or would you fall away, curse God and die? What is the boundary in your life? Is it your possessions? Is it your children? Is it your wealth? Job had all of these things taken from him through no fault of his own and yet he remained faithful. “In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (And yet, I think the reverse is true too. What if you were a poor person who was suddenly inundated with great wealth and success. What would your response be then? Would you forget God? Would you curse God? Would you credit him with your wealth or yourself? “Suffering”, then, takes on a new meaning. What are your limits? “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8-9) Suffering is thus a very relative term.)

We are asked throughout the book to evaluate our situation. Suffering comes for a variety of reasons but if the book of Job teaches anything about suffering it teaches that God is Sovereign. Sometimes we suffer simply because God has soveriegnly said, “Have you considered my servant______?” In this light we suffer because in doing so we bring glory and honor to God as did Job. No other questions need to be asked. And as far as I can tell, the only thing the Bible really says about suffering is this: Suffer faithfully and expect it: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) “So, then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19) Even Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 must be carefully spoken because there Jesus speaks to those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, not to those who suffer in general. (Although, read 1 Peter 4:12-19, 1 Peter 2:13-25 for wise counsel on the issue of suffering and how to do it.) Suffering, in the church should be viewed as a badge of honor. But I think there are too many preachers preaching that God’s plan for our perfection does not include suffering. They are sadly in opposition to the teachings of Scripture.

I do not expect that my paltry words will answer every question you have about Job or suffering. Nor should you expect me to talk about every passage in Job. What you should expect is to be challenged to read the entire book and meditate on the thoughts, actions and life of Job and somehow to become like Christ in your own life and faith.