Day 5 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Job 1–3
Why do the Innocent or Righteous Suffer?
Note: This Bible study is also offered in audio format
Losing a baby or other loved ones by an untimely death is devastating. Other difficult things to deal with are the failure of a business, the devaluation of land or property, living with a compromised immune system, losing respect from your mate, and losing friends. Imagine all of this happening within a week or even a month. Catastrophe!
When this happens to an evil person, we might think, Good, he deserved it! God is paying him back for all the wrongs he committed. But when catastrophe strikes an innocent, good and kind person, we shake our heads in wonder. Why did this happen? Where is God in all this?
Today we begin the book of Job (we pronounce his name with a long vowel sound). The theme is, “Why Do the Righteous or Innocent Suffer?”
Why are We Studying Job?
“Wait a minute,” you might say. “We were in the early chapters of the book of Genesis yesterday, and today we are in the book of Job. Isn’t Job in the middle of the Bible—why are we studying it now?”
That is an excellent question. Remember, we are studying the Bible chronologically, not according to the literary style (genre). Almost all regular Bibles put Job in the middle, next to the other poetical books—Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon—because Job is a poetical book. Chronologically, however, Job lived at the time of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see more insights page).
Job’s Character
Job is a good man who always does what’s right. He fears God and shuns evil. People see his integrity in business and how fairly he treats his workers. He becomes wealthy but shares it with widows and becomes like a father to orphans. He has a beautiful family and intercedes for them in daily prayer. Job’s character even impresses God, and so he increases his blessing upon him. Everything is going well with Job.
Most of his neighbors love Job, but as we will see in future Bible readings, some are jealous and mock him — their lives aren't so good. They would like to bring Job down, and so would an evil spiritual being called Satan or the devil. He was once the highest of angels until he tried to become God and get his own following. God cast him and his evil angels out of heaven, but he requires Satan to report back to him.
The Devil’s Devices
The devil roams around “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8), and Job’s righteousness galls him. Satan’s desire is to tempt Job to curse the Almighty by removing his hedge of protection. God allows Satan to test Job, and he seems confident Job will pass the test. Then the devil removes almost everything dear to Job—his family, business, and reputation. However, to Satan’s confusion and embarrassment, Job keeps his integrity.
What is Job’s attitude toward all his losses? He responds, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21, NIV). Wow! That is not a natural response, and it takes a strong, trusting relationship with the LORD to respond like that!
These chronological Bible studies encourage us to be consistent with God’s Word, so we might know him better, depend on him, and pray. As the gospel artist Mark Bishop sings, “If we need God on the bigger days, we need to Pray on the Little Days.” We can find this inspirational song on YouTube™ and it’s well worth watching.
Frustrated with his first attempt to embarrass God, Satan tells God that Job would curse him to his face if he were suffering physically. Again, God allows it, but doesn’t explain his reasons. We get a clue at the end of Job’s story.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Where is God?
We cannot perceive the LORD at work, so we wonder if he is aware of our troubles. But the LORD sees and is concerned (Psalm 139). Later, we might understand what God is doing, but not now. God allows some of us to go through great trials, pain, and humiliation. I have suffered and seen others suffer (though not to Job’s extent). Perhaps you have, too.
Having suffered the loss of all her children, riches and respect, and the failure of her husband’s health, Job’s wife, counsels him to curse God and die. Before we are too judgmental about Job’s wife, would we be different in the same circumstances?
Job rebukes his wife, saying, “‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:10, NIV).
Do we have a personal relationship with God? (more...) He can give us strength in our trials. The Holy Spirit can be our comforter and counselor (John 14:16-17). Instead of responding by cursing or abandoning God, he can help us respond with faith and trust.
What do we do when we see others suffer calamity and hardships?
Job’s friends come to comfort him and are so appalled at Job’s appearance they can’t speak. For seven long days, they keep their mouths shut and just sit with him. Job’s friends have the proper perspective, at first. They came to comfort him. Sometimes that is all the person needs; he just needs someone to listen to even grievous or irrational speech. Job feels so bad he wants to die. He curses the day of his birth. He wishes he had been stillborn.
People say many things when they are in great distress, and we just need to let them talk and sympathize with their feelings, but this is not what Job’s friends do. Instead, they accuse him of somehow offending God. If Job was innocent, would God punish him? No. Are Job’s friends, right? We will discover the answers in our following lessons.
Why do the righteous suffer? Although we may have some theological answers, we must admit we do not know God’s thoughts in particular situations. We should, therefore, reserve judgment and focus on being sympathetic to the one who is suffering.
Discussion
What did we learn about Satan or the devil?
If we are righteous, is everyone happy about that? Why or why not?
What should we do when we see others suffering?
Focus Verses
Romans 12:15 (NIV) “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Job 1:21 (NIV) “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Here is another encouraging song sung by Jason Crabb
footnote: Satan is called by many names in the Scripture. In Revelation 20:2 God calls Satan the dragon, the devil, and that ancient serpent (referring to the serpent in the garden of Eden who deceived Eve). In Revelation 12:10 he is referred to as the accuser of the brothers (Christians).
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead:What can we say to those who are suffering? Join us in our next Bible study from Job to learn how to speak Appropriate Words to them.
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