The Question of Job

The book of Job is one of the longest and most confusing books in the Old Testament. Many people believe that the question that the book addresses is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” In 1981 Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a bestselling book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. He wrote it after his son died at age 14 of a rare, incurable genetic disease. Kushner concludes that Job demonstrates that while God is benevolent and comforts people in their grieving, He is not capable of preventing evil from causing bad things.

Kushner is wrong. God is omnipotent – all powerful. He created the universe and everything in it by speaking them into existence. Kushner is also wrong because in the first two chapters of Job God invites satan to afflict Job so that satan can see the genuine nature of Job’s faith. Far from not being able to prevent suffering, God permits Job’s suffering.

The real question asked in the book of Job is stated in Job 2:10, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” Job’s answer is “No!” “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15). Job understood that everything bestowed on us, whether we see it as good or as adversity, is completely what God intends for us and is ultimately for our benefit (James 1:17).

1 Peter 3:17 states, “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” God describes Job as “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1). Yet God willed that Job should suffer. He suffered to demonstrate to us that “‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares Yehovah. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Job refused to do wrong by cursing God for the adversity that he experienced (Job 2:9-10).

Job tells his companion, “Who can say to Him, ‘What are you doing?’” (Job 9:12). Job realizes that just as we cannot understand how God created the universe, we will not always be able to comprehend His purposes in our lives. “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 9:10).

A great tragedy in Job is that his friends wear him down with their arguments and accusations to the point that he doubts God and demands that God explain Himself. God responds with a four chapter long science quiz asking Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand” (Job 38:4).

Job repents of his doubt (Job 42:1-6). God restores Job’s family and possessions (Job 42:12-13). When we suffer, God may not restore what we have lost but we know someday “He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4). I pray you have this blessed hope and assurance.