BIBLICAL STUDIES

5 Lessons on Suffering from the Book of

Job
Pedro Cheung
May 7, 2021 7 min

Periodically, I read the book of Job in an uninterrupted, two–hour

sitting. It remains one of my favorite Bible stories. During my most
recent delving, I found 5 lessons on suffering.

Many of us turn to the book of Job found in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament
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 Many of us turn to the book of Job found in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament
of the Christian Bible) when we encounter suffering. We hope the story of Job
will help us understand why we are suffering or why there is much pain and
disaster in this world.

Brief Introduction to the Book of Job

Author: Not Job but a skillful Jewish poet who used sources from
patriarchal times (including some from Job himself) to compose the book.

Date and Occasion: The events date from the patriarchal period and
occur in a non-Israelite setting. The classical Hebrew of the prologue
places the book after 1500 B.C. with its final form possibly during the time
of Solomon.

Purpose: How to think well about God in the midst of suffering.

Here are five important lessons on suffering from the book of Job.

Lesson 1: Suffering is not always a punishment

for sin.
I tend to blame myself whenever I experience life’s adversities. I connote
suffering with sin, foolishness, and poor decision–making. When trials come,
my automatic response is “What did I do wrong?” Suffering, however, is not
always God’s disciplinary action.

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus
answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the
works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1–3 ESV)

Job suffered not because he had committed a specific sin.

“And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that
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 “And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that
there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears
God and turns away from evil?”” (Job 1:8)

When we face hardship, we should examine ourselves to correct any wrong

conduct or thinking. But when we suffer, it is not always God’s discipline. So
when others suffer, we should not quickly conclude that God is punishing
them for sin.

Lesson 2: We need to calmly accept suffering

from God.
Job lost almost everything in a short period of time. Onlookers presumed that
his loss was supernatural and wrought by God himself. Note the four
successive reports in Job 1:13-19.

^_` “Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and
drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and there came a
messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys
feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and
struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have
escaped to tell you.”

a_` While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God
fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and
consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

b_` While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans
formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and
struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have
escaped to tell you.”

c_` While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and
daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the
four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they
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 four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they
are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

In one day, Job lost his livestock, his houses, and his servants. Worst, all ten
of his children died. No one can prepare for this catastrophe. But notice at
how Job responded.

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the
ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s
womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken
away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or
charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:20–22)

Job understood that God was the source of his blessing. God has the
sovereign right to bestow blessing on whomever he chooses. He also has the
rightful authority to withhold blessing and bring calamity on whomever he
chooses. However God ordains, he remains sovereign and worthy of worship.

We need to be like Job. We need to calmly accept and submit to God’s

sovereign will. When God blesses us, we rejoice in humility. When he brings
tribulation, we trust God and bless him. We affirm God as infinitely powerful,
wise, and good.

Lesson 3: We can express our grief to God

through prayer.
In chapter 2, we see Job’s suffering intensify. God allowed Satan to attack Job
with a painful skin condition.

“So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with
loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he
took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in

the ashes.” (Job 2:7–8)

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 Job’s agony intensified. God brought no immediate relief. As Job’s affliction
worsened, he became confused. Doubt crept into his heart, and he felt alone
and helpless. Like any man, Job became disheartened.

When the heat comes, we can get discouraged. But see Job’s response.

First, Job resisted all temptation to curse and blame God.

“Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job
did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10b)

Second, Job cried out to God in anguished prayer.

Job laments to God. His anguished prayers are recorded in poetic speech in
the remainder of the book.

“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my

spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11)

Agonized prayer to God is not sin nor a sign of immaturity. It is a natural

response of a child relying on his heavenly Father. God wants us to pray to
him in dependence and humility.

Lesson 4: Friends and family may fail us in our

greatest need.
“With friends like these, who needs enemies?” (Old English Proverb)

Job’s wife and three friends stood beside him at the apex of Job’s suffering. All
of them failed to comfort Job. Read what Job’s wife urged.

“Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God
and die.”” (Job 2:9)
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 and die.”” (Job 2:9)

Job’s three friends also failed to help.

^_` Eliphaz told Job that the innocent do not suffer. (4:1-21) Therefore, Job
must be guilty. He called Job foolish (5:1-7), and he encouraged Job not to
despise God’s discipline (5:17-27).

a_` Bildad told Job that God does not reject the blameless (8:1-22), and God
puts out the light of the wicked (18:1-21). He accused Job for being wicked
and blameworthy.

b_` Zophar told Job that he deserves worse (11:1-20), and wicked men like him
will suffer (20:1-29).

Neither Job’s wife nor his three friends brought any consolation. Their advice
was neither helpful nor correct. Their words lacked encouragement and
hope. They failed Job when he needed them the most.

Lesson 5: God uses suffering to teach us about

him.
The book’s central theme is not Job’s suffering. Rather, the focus is God’s
revelation of himself during Job’s suffering. God uses suffering to instruct us.
In the last chapter, Job summarized what he learned about God.

“Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel
without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I
will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the
hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and
repent in dust and ashes.”” (Job 42:1–6)

Job learns six important truths about God.

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 ^_` God is omnipotent. (42:2a) He can do all things. Therefore, he has the
power to remove our suffering if he chooses.

a_` God is sovereign. (42:2b) His will is always accomplished. No purpose of

God can be thwarted. He is always in control. Therefore, our suffering is a
part of his sovereign plan.

b_` God is omniscient. (42:3) While our knowledge is limited, God knows
everything. He needs no counselor. Therefore, he is perfectly wise as he
allows our suffering to continue.

c_` God is independent. (42:4) He does not need anything. He does not
benefit from our counsel and advisement. He does not need
encouragement to increase His grace, mercy and love. However, we are
completely dependent on God. Therefore, we must come to God with our
questions, concerns, and needs.

n_` God has revealed himself. (42:5) God has made himself known to us
through his creation, his providence, and his special revelation.
Therefore, God uses suffering to reveal more of himself.

o_` God is holy. (42:6) We see our true standing with God when we
understand his holiness. Therefore, he expects us to come before him in
humility and repentance.

God wants us to learn what He had taught Job. Meditate on these basic truths
about God when you face suffering.

Final Thoughts on Suffering from the Book of

Job
The book of Job may not remove the sting of our present suffering. But I hope
we can meditate on these truths to prepare ourselves for our next trial. The
right perspective will help us respond properly to God in our time of need.

^_` Suffering is not always punishment.

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 ^_` Suffering is not always punishment.

a_` Suffering needs to be calmly accepted.

b_` God wants us to express our grief in prayer.

c_` Friends and family may fail you.

n_` God uses suffering to teach us.

Helpful Articles on the Book of Job

Five Truths for Sufferers from the Book of Job

How Should I Read the Book of Job?

The Book of Job (Video Series by Derek Thomas)

Suffering Wisely and Well: The Grief of Job and the Grace of God (Book)

Derek Thomas: The Book of Job

The Patience of Job: The Book of Job with Derek Thomas

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