The Permission of Evil

JOB 1:8; 2:7-10; 19:7-10; 42: 1-5; JAMES 5:11

GOLDEN TEXT: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”—II Timothy 2:3

THIS third and final lesson based on the Book of Job deals more particularly with the divine permission of evil as Job experienced it, and the great good which accrued to him as a result of it. In this narrative is seen an illustration of the permission of evil on a much larger scale, namely, upon the entire human race, and the ultimate recovery of the race during the “times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”—Acts 3:21

The book of Job is introduced with a prose narrative of Job’s losses and sufferings. Then Job’s patient endurance is set forth. Next follow the poetic colloquies between Job and his three “friends,” then Elihu’s argument, then the Almighty’s address; then Job’s confession. The conclusion, relating to Job’s return to favor and blessing, and his death, is in prose.

Some have assumed that the Book of Job is merely a parable, and that Job himself is merely an imaginary character. But even if this were the case, the teachings of the book would not be different. However, we see no cause to doubt that such a person did live and pass through the experiences related. In Ezekiel 14:14 and James 5:11, Job is classed with other holy men, which would not be the case were this narrative merely a parable. Besides, there are particular details given, such as are not common to parables.

Satan had power over Job only to the extent allowed by God. This is made very plain in the account. When asked from whence he came, Satan answered that he had come from walking up and down upon the earth. This agrees with the New Testament, where the apostle tells us that Satan “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Pet. 5:8) It disagrees with the theology of the Dark Ages which puts Satan in a hell of fire with his chief job that of caretaker of the damned.

At first Satan was permitted to touch only that which belonged to Job, his family, and his wealth. He was to inflict no harm upon Job himself. Under this test Job remained loyal to the Lord, which was contrary to Satan’s charge that he was serving the Lord only because of his prosperity, because it paid him to do so. When all that Job possessed was taken from him, he merely said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”—Job 1:21

Then Satan obtained permission to inflict injury upon Job’s person. He was quick to act, and Job became afflicted with boils from head to foot. Then his wife turned against him. Yet with all of this he did not turn against God. The greatest show of weakness with which we can charge him was his expressed desire to escape further suffering by dying and his confusion of mind as to why these calamities had come upon him. He maintained his integrity before God throughout his entire trial, and when he had learned well the lesson God intended for him, he said concerning his Maker, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee.”

Instead of turning against God, Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” and again, “when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 13:15; 23:10) Job was at a loss to know why he was permitted to suffer, but he never doubted God, and felt assured that ultimately he would find the answer. Though his body was being consumed by a loathsome disease, he had faith to say, “In my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:26) Had Job lived in the Christian era, his fortitude in suffering would undoubtedly have enabled him to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” as our Golden Text states.

Job’s expectation to “see” God was fulfilled to him back there, and will be realized on a far grander scale in the resurrection. When he proved his integrity and in humility confessed his sins before God, his mourning was turned into joy. His health was restored. His friends once more honored him. He received twice the material wealth he possessed originally. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him, taking the places of those who had been destroyed. In brief, Job experienced complete “restitution” of that which he had lost.—Job 1:2,3; 42:10-13

The suffering Job experienced as an individual has been true of the entire human race. Satan by divine permission was allowed to rob the human family of its earthly inheritance, and to inflict disease and death upon all. But there was a Redeemer to rescue the race, the Redeemer of which Job prophetically spoke. (Job 19:25) Through the Redeemer, the entire race will have an opportunity to be restored to life, and those who accept will have the lost dominion and lost earthly home restored to them, even beyond their fondest hopes for the latter will be greater and enduring.

It is this glorious consummation of the divine plan for human redemption and salvation that the Apostle Peter described as “times of restitution of all things.” And he explains that it was foretold by the mouth of all God’s holy prophets.—Acts 3:19-23

QUESTIONS:

Is the Book of Job a parable?

How was Job’s confidence in God vindicated?

Of what was Job’s experience an illustration?

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