Job’s Struggle to Understand Life

GOLDEN TEXT: “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13

JOB 1:1; 19:7-10; 23:3-10

WHILE there is much in the Book of Job which is of a figurative nature, we believe that Job himself was a real person and not merely a character of fiction. Most authorities believe that he lived some time prior to Moses and the giving of the Mosaic Law, probably during the patriarchal age—that is, between the Flood and the death of Jacob.

The first verse in the Book informs us that Job was an upright man, and that he “feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job knew in his own heart that he loved God, and that he was, to the best of his ability, conducting his life in a manner which he believed would be pleasing to God. Under these circumstances it became a great test of his faith and integrity that he should be permitted to suffer, not only the loss of his family and material possessions, but of his health as well.

In the book we are told of certain ones—“comforters” so-called—who tried to convince Job that all his suffering was due to sins he had committed; sins which he was endeavoring to conceal from others, but which were known to the Lord. Job knew that this was not true, but at the same time he did not understand just why the Lord was permitting him to suffer.

The opening chapters of the book reveal that the accusation was made by Satan that Job was serving the Lord only because he believed that all his blessings of family, home, and riches were given to him by God, and not because he really loved God. Satan’s charge was that if these blessings were taken away from Job he would curse God.

The Lord had confidence in Job, and he permitted Satan to remove one after another of his blessings in order that it might be demonstrated that here was a man who at heart was loyal to God and would continue so, no matter what happened. Job was puzzled. Early in his trial he expressed the wish that he might have died when he was born. (Job 3:3) Later, he prayed to God to let him die; to let him go down into the Bible hell—that is, sheol, the death condition. Nevertheless he maintained his integrity before God. He did not curse God as Satan had said.

As we have noted, Job not only suffered from the loss of his family, wealth, and health, but the situation was made doubly difficult by the fact that his would-be friends tried to make him confess that he had grossly sinned against the Lord and to admit that this was the reason for his suffering. One of the arguments, beautifully worded, asked, “When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?”—Job 34:29

This question expresses a beautiful sentiment, and the text is often seen displayed as a motto in Christian homes, but it was first used to convince Job that God was not with him, that if God’s blessing were upon him he would not be suffering as he was. This, of course, was false; but Job, not understanding the circumstances, was unable fully to refute the argument.

In the 11th chapter of Hebrews, Paul presents an impressive list of righteous men and women who suffered severely, and died in faith, not seeing God’s promises fulfilled on their behalf. Concerning the Lord’s people of the present age, Paul and Barnabas recounted that it is through “much tribulation” that we enter the kingdom of heaven.—Acts 14:22

The time is coming, however, when this situation will change. The Prophet Isaiah speaks of this, saying that then the Lord shall “take away the rebuke of his people from off all the earth.” (Isa. 25:8) The reason the Lord permits his people to be rebuked during this time when sin and death are reigning is that he is preparing them through trial to be his instruments in the future kingdom work of enlightening and restoring the world to health and life.

The righteous, including Job, from Abel to John the Baptist, were trained and prepared to be the human representatives of the kingdom of Christ. Those who will compose the spiritual, or invisible, phase of that kingdom, have been called, disciplined, and otherwise prepared for the kingdom during the Gospel age. Both of these classes have walked by faith, not always understanding the meaning of their trials, but always assured, as Job was, that “He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”—Job 23:10

Our Golden Text, while expressing a principle which is true in the experience of any of God’s people, is specifically a promise to the nation of Israel at this end of the age.

QUESTIONS

Who was Job, and about what time did he live?

Who were Job’s “comforters,” and what wrong viewpoint did they have?

Why was Job permitted to suffer?

Is it true that those who have the favor of God never experience trouble?

Will the time ever come when this will be true?

What has been the divine purpose in permitting the righteous to suffer?

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