some believe: The first poetic Hebrew book written in the bible.
For Job, perhaps the greatest trial was not the pain or the loss, but being unable to understand why God was allowing him to suffer. Suffering can be a penalty for sin, but isn’t always. And prosperity isn’t always a reward for being good. Those who love God are not exempt from trouble. Although we may not be able to understand fully the reasons for the pain we experience, it can lead us to rediscover or deepen our relationship with God.
Satan attempted to drive a wedge between Job and God by getting Job to believe that God’s governing of the world was not just and good. Satan had to ask God for permission to take Job’s wealth, children, and health away. We must learn to recognize but not fear Satan’s attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets. Don’t let any experience drive a wedge between you and God. Although you can’t control how Satan may attack, you can always choose how you will respond when it happens.
God is all powerful - His will is perfect; yet he doesn’t always act in ways we understand. Job’s suffering didn’t make sense because everyone believed good people were supposed to prosper. When Job was at the point of despair, God spoke to him, showing him his great power and wisdom. Although God is always present, at times, he may seem far away. This may cause us to feel alone and to doubt his cause for us. But we should serve God for who he is, not how we feel. He is never insensitive to our suffering. God is sufficient, we must hold on to him.
Job’s friends were certain that they were correct in their judgment. God rebuked them for their pride and arrogance. Human wisdom is always partial and temporary, so undue pride in our own conclusions is sinful. We must also be careful not to judge others who are suffering because this can likewise be the son of pride. We must be cautious in maintaining certainty of our own conclusions about how God treats us. When we congratulate ourselves for being right, we become proud.
God alone knew the purpose behind Job’s suffering, yet he never explained it to Job. In spite of this, Job never gave up on God - even in the midst of suffering. He never placed his hope in dependence, his wisdom, his friends, his wealth. Job focused on God - Job showed the kind of trust we are to have. When everything is stripped away, we are to recognize that God is all ever had. We should not demand that God explain everything. God gives us himself, but not all the details of his plans. We must remember that this life, with all its pain, is not our final destiny.
Megathemes: Suffering, Satan’s Attacks
Megathemes: God’s Goodness, Pride/Vanity, Trusting God