The book of Job raises some of the most important questions people have ever asked. They are personal and practical as well as philosophical.

Person; enemy; trouble; reaction⤒🔗

Job 1, 2←↰⤒🔗

The man’s character and conduct is described first. That is his most important characteristic and Satan will contest it. He is genuine, a man of integrity who respects God and avoids evil. His concern for his family has to do primarily with their relationship with God. Scene 2 is set in heaven – as if to say that the matters under review are the most important of all.

The background to what happens is Satan’s challenge to God. He alleges that Job is insincere – that no one really loves God or shares God’s righteous character; that even Job is motivated by selfishness. Satan is shown as envious, twisted, deceitful and malicious. He can influence humanity and the powers of nature. The test would be whether Job would continue to serve God when stripped of every benefit God had given.

God allowed Satan to test Job. Job lost his property, workers, family and health. The people he depended on became a hindrance rather than a help.

Job’s reaction was not to curse God but to worship Him. He recognised he was no worse off than when he was born and that God has a right to do as he wishes with his own property. Job’s righteousness was his true wealth. Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Like Job, we see only part of what God allows to happen. His peo­ple may experience trouble that is not their fault for reasons they do not know. It may challenge their faith, but nothing can destroy it. More important than anything is righteousness – to relate in a right way to both man and God. There is such a thing – God’s character is seen among men. That is evidence that God lives. That basic truth must be our guide in life.

Truth spoken falsely←⤒🔗

Job 5:17, 27←↰⤒🔗

Job’s friends came to comfort him but only added to his grief. His suffering was so remarkable it seemed to demand an explanation.

They knew God rewarded righteousness and punished sin so they concluded that Job must be a hypocrite. They knew an important truth but applied it falsely.

Eliphaz urged him to examine himself to discover his sin. Bildad suggested it was his family who had sinned. They said his complaints against God for allowing this trouble proved that he was not sincere. They speculated as to what the sins might be.

The question that puzzled them was largely academic and tended to pride – why had God done it? It would have been better to be practical – to listen humbly to God and comfort the sufferer. The gospel is immensely practical (as is the call to repent, because God does punish sin).

There were weaknesses in the way they approached it. They thought only of God’s justice and ignored other aspects of his dealings with humanity. They assumed they were able to know God’s ways perfectly, and were entitled to make a final judgement on another man’s character. They gave no comfort, unlike God who is the Father of mercies.

There was some merit in their approach. It did make use of moral concepts and categories. People who refuse to do that fail to understand human life and react inappropriately to good and evil.

They made an important statement (re God as judge) but applied it wrongly. Job was ‘a good man’ (note Psalm 37:23) though not sinless. And there are other reasons why God allows suffering. But the point they made is vital – God does bless goodness and punish sin. God calls us all to repent. Sin may consist in proud self-sufficiency. Refusing grace means losing grace. God calls us to humble ourselves and seek Him earnestly.

The sufferer and his God←⤒🔗

Job 19:25←↰⤒🔗

The Bible presents Job as an example of how to endure suffering. His conduct bears a resemblance to that of Jesus.

He pled in vain for the support of his friends. That reminds us of our duty to our neighbour, and also of our sinful weakness. Job dismissed their ‘wisdom’. Not only did it misrepresent the facts, it also misrepresented God. He warned them that if God acted towards them as they were acting towards him it would go ill with them. At last he prayed for them – his regard for God overcame his distaste for them.

He felt bewildered. Sometimes he wanted to die, at other times to live. Just like Jesus he asked, “Why?” It all seemed so pointless, yet he sensed that was not the final answer. He seemed confused about himself but his self reproach had nothing to do with his friends’ accusations. He was unable to find God. He had a deep conviction that God was just, but felt that justice was delayed.

He felt unworthy. But he knew he was not inferior to his friends – it was in relation to God. God is the true standard by which we should measure ourselves. Seeing ourselves from His perspective develops the pleasant qualities of humility, gratitude and love. God is so much greater than us that we may feel overwhelmed. He is the standard for conduct and character – no one can have a right to sue Him at court.

He felt hopeful. The moral greatness of God led Job to expect a just verdict. He looked for God to provide whatever it was He was demanding – the gift of grace. Faith in a coming redeemer led to the belief that God would raise him from the grave – with no sin.

God, not humanity, was his place of safety. Integrity, not success, had priority. Tension between faith and a ‘this world’ view point were ongoing but faith won. God was seen as utterly reliable in spite of it all.

God reveals his splendor←⤒🔗

Job 42:5-6←↰⤒🔗

Job’s troubles were so extraordinary they raised all sorts of questions. But when God appeared it put everything in a new light and transformed the situation.

Initially Satan had said, ‘Job will curse God.’ His friends asked, ‘What is Job’s sin?’ and Job asked, ‘Why does God let the innocent suffer?’ We recognise the situation: criticism, complaints and anxieties are part of the fabric of life. But when God spoke their questioning ceased.

God spoke first through the man Elihu, then directly. It was a demonstration of his majesty – the splendours of creation are only a faint reflection of the glorious Creator. Job had known all those things before; now there was a presence that was overwhelming. It was a similar experience to Simon Peter’s when he recognised Jesus and said, “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord”. When we ‘see’ God nothing else appears significant by comparison.

The immediate effect was to silence all who had complained about God’s actions. The long-term effect was a change in roles. Those who criticised God found themselves judged; those who tried to teach others became learners; the matters that agitated them became yesterday’s questions. God was seen to be in charge, correcting, giving fresh hope and raising new issues.

There is such a thing as God making Himself known; its effect is profound. Revelation may be indirect – what we learn of Him from the Bible. Or it may be ‘face to face’ – when we recognise its author. Unless we flee, the effect is to draw us to Him in love, penitence and confidence.

It raises issues for us. Are we ready to learn from God? Or do we think we know it all? Is our conduct like his? – for that is the measure. Are we investing for eternity? – for only Christ’s kingdom will last. Are we reconciled to God? – for he will certainly appear. Therefore, “Seek the Lord while he may be found.”

What is our wisdom?←⤒🔗

Job 22:21←↰⤒🔗

Like us, Job and his friends were taken up with matters that seemed very important. They spoke about God, but God seemed to be absent. When he appeared the whole picture changed. God dominated the horizon, and their accepted wisdom was seen to be foolish. We also underestimate God. The Book of Job is telling us to live in the fear of God at all times, not only when we are aware of his presence. How should we do so?

‘Become acquainted’. That is a call to have personal dealings with God – search for Him. It implies a particular attitude – respect for God as someone far superior to us, and a readiness to respond positively to Him. There are great reasons for doing so – it is only right that we would; it is our wisdom to do it; and God is good – we will receive good from Him.

How? Remember that God is personal and we must treat Him as a person. Ask Him to come – “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Listen to what He is saying – in the Bible and when He gathers with His people. Find out from the Bible what we can expect, and wait for it.

‘Be at peace with Him’. Deal with the past. Confess sin. Admit His rights. Accept Christ Jesus His Saviour. Ask for His pardon. Deal with your lifestyle, for this is a relationship that involves the totality of life. Study His word to see what pleases Him and ask for His Spirit’s help to do it. Be very personal in your dealings with Him. This is no mere marriage of convenience, so love the Lord and converse with Him in all the means of grace.

‘Good will come to you.’ If we do these things we will no longer be at odds with the world around us. The Good Shepherd will lead us to more abundant life. It will not be free of trouble but “my God shall supply all your need; and “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

We will have the privilege of God’s personal love around us. Prayers for other people will be answered, as were Job’s. And nothing, not even death shall separate us from Him.