Job's Suffering; God's Response

Job 2:1-13

 Some scholars believe that the time period in which Job was written is older than even Genesis.  It stands alone in the Old Testament, and, frankly, it's hard to read about Job,  this man who had everything - wealth, family, respect - only to lose it all and not because of anything he did wrong.

 Job deserved what he had earned!  He worked hard for his wealth.  And he was a righteous, God-fearing man.  In chapter one, we learn that he was 'blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.' (Job 1:1).  He didn't deserve the awful disasters that God allowed:  his children killed, his fields, his vineyards, his servants all destroyed.  In the second chapter,  God allows Satan to afflict him with painful sores 'from the top of his feet to the top of his head.' (2:7).

 Look at Job's response to the terrible things that have happened to him. On one hand, he doesn't piously say, Oh, Lord, I know you're in charge, and I am grateful for the opportunity to trust you.    But he also doesn't rant and rave and blame God for failing him (which, if I'm honest, is almost always my gut reaction when trouble comes my way).

In verse 8, we see that Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. But verse 10 tells us, "in all this, Job did not sin in what he said."

Job is devastated.  His family is gone, his health is gone, his life is in ruins.  And yet - he does not sin.  But he acknowledges his hurt and pain.

And he has friends come alongside him - friends who will later prove to be unhelpful, but when we meet them in chapter 2, they are the best friends one could have:  "they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights.  No one said a word to him because they saw how great his suffering was." (2:13).

Job doesn't have to go through this awful ordeal alone. His community supports him - and they know that words would only hurt, so they willingly give their time.

How do you respond to trouble?  Do you lash out at God, your family, your friends?  Do you give yourself space to grieve, to acknowledge your feelings?  Are you honest with God?  May the words of the psalmist enter your heart and mind, as you seek to serve the one who gave us his only son:

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  (Psalm 121:1).

Only one man truly suffered for the sins of others, a man who did not sin.  His name is Jesus, and in the book of Job we see Christ foreshadowed.  We stand at the foot of the cross and we give thanks that he has borne our sin.


Lord, forgive me when I doubt your plans and purposes.  You have given me eternal life, and I am grateful for your mercies and grace.  Help me to trust you even when I don't see your hand.  I claim your promises that you will never desert me, and that I will dwell in your house forever and ever, Amen.