Why did Job suffer?

[know1]

To put it simply, because of his sin.
I hear many people use Job as an excuse to blame God for their sickness, the very thing Jesus bore on the cross so that we wouldn't have to.
One reason God not only allowed satan to inflict Job, but encouraged him, was due to Job's sin. A sin he couldn't see.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

He was righteous in his own eye because of his works.

 

[LT]

No! Job did not suffer BECAUSE of any sin.
Job was righteous in God's eyes. He was not punished: he was put through two trials.
He passed both trials.
The 1st trial was that Job would stop being righteous if God took away his blessings. Job praised God even in the trial, and so remained righteous
The 2nd trial was that Job would curse God if he was put through physical misery. Job did not curse God, and so he passed the 2nd trial.... but Job did not remain righteous through the 2nd trial, because he spoke rebelliously of God by blaming God for his infirmity.

You misunderstood Jobs friends. They were wrong! God rebukes them for speaking wrongly of Job. Elihu is the only one who spoke rightly of Job and God.
Your argument against Job is the same as the first two speeches in the book. Job give a solid defense, and God Himself defends Job from them.

The book of Job teaches us that:

1. God is in control (sovereign) of everything.
2. Even though God is sovereign, he is not to be held responsible for any evil.
3. Bad things can happen to good people.

 

[Angela53510]

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" Job 1:1

"And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered myservant 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

Please note that Job 32:2 are the words of Elihu, not God. In fact, the 4 friends spend 32 chapters trying to make Job admit his sin, and he does not. In fact, just because Elihu spent chapters 32-35 rebuking Job doesn't make him right.

God had his own reasons for making Job suffer. I believe it is partly so we realize that God is in control, and we will suffer in this life, no matter whether we live for God or not.

My thought is that you go back and read the entire book of Job. Job 38-41 are God's explanation of what he did, and there is no word in there about Job's sin. In fact, Job repents of his only real sin - questioning God for what he has done to him.

"Then Job answered the Lord and said:[SUP]2 [/SUP]“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]‘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.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
[SUP]5 [/SUP]I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
[SUP]6 [/SUP]therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6

And of course, God does restore Job in the end. Because he had been blameless all along.

 

[Isdaniel]

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" Job 1:1

"And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered myservant 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

Please note that Job 32:2 are the words of Elihu, not God. In fact, the 4 friends spend 32 chapters trying to make Job admit his sin, and he does not. In fact, just because Elihu spent chapters 32-35 rebuking Job doesn't make him right.

God had his own reasons for making Job suffer. I believe it is partly so we realize that God is in control, and we will suffer in this life, no matter whether we live for God or not.

My thought is that you go back and read the entire book of Job. Job 38-41 are God's explanation of what he did, and there is no word in there about Job's sin. In fact, Job repents of his only real sin - questioning God for what he has done to him.

"Then Job answered the Lord and said:[SUP]2 [/SUP]“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]‘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.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
[SUP]5 [/SUP]I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
[SUP]6 [/SUP]therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6

And of course, God does restore Job in the end. Because he had been blameless all along.

Do you think Job sinned after in his following days ?

Do you think Job sinned before the encounter with the devil ?

 

[LT]

I mentioned that Elihu is right in his rebuke, because Job sets up a legal challenge against God: that God is unjust, and needs to be held responsible for evil in the world.
This is the 3rd legal challenge presented against God in the book of Job.
Job claims his own innocence as evidence against God, and challenges God to come down and defend Himself.
God does come down, but doesn't defend Himself (an open defense would have thrown the challenge that Satan had against Him).
Instead, God simply asks Job questions about the world that Job could not answer. In the end, Job admits that he was out of place to accuse God, simply because of God's sovereignty! God restores Job, and humiliates Job's "friends", but doesn't punish Elihu, because he spoke rightly in telling Job of his rebellion.

 

[starfield]

Job wasn't afflicted for sin; he was a God-fearing man. His affliction was simply a test of faith.

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

 

[overcomer2]

Like others in the Bible for a testimony. I believe every Christian will go through the 7 tests of Job.

 

[Graybeard]

To put it simply, because of his sin.
I hear many people use Job as an excuse to blame God for their sickness, the very thing Jesus bore on the cross so that we wouldn't have to.
One reason God not only allowed satan to inflict Job, but encouraged him, was due to Job's sin. A sin he couldn't see.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

He was righteous in his own eye because of his works.

Was it GOD that said that?...no! it was Elihu...
This is a good example of a true statement but NOT a statement of Truth.

 

[LT]

Was it GOD that said that?...no! it was Elihu...
This is a good example of a true statement but NOT a statement of Truth.

Well said!
Job did not try to justify God's actions upon him during the 2nd trial as he did with the 1st when he said, "the Lord give, and the Lord takes away." Instead Job just explains that he was without fault in the matter (his "friends" did not help him get into a right mindset, because they only accused him instead of consoling him). Elihu gets mad when he hears Job's attitude, and how Job's friends didn't justify God based on God's sovereignty, but only on His justice.

Even though Job does not justify the Lord during the 2nd trial, this is not the reason God allowed these trials to happen. God had a much BIGGER plan than just preemptively punishing the actions of Job. God's plan was soo big that we are still discussing Job's story today!

 

[reject-tech]

Job was righteous and thus found worthy, and took up the challenge, to suffer so that God could show Job how God feels when everything turns against Him.
The dialogue between "satan" and God, is God checking Job's inner adversary with "do you have the guts Job? It's up to you."
Same thing with Elijah's double check on the mountain.
And it's the bush that isn't consumed by the fire.
God beat death, and wants us to also.

For suffering to be complete in magnitude, the one suffering must at some point wonder if it is punishment, before he learns the true purpose of it.

And just knowing that doesn't get you out of it. At some point it will get bad enough that you will assume it's punishment. Even having had the process laid out before you. If you are someone who volunteered for it, know this - it still gets as bad as you are able to bear right up to the very end. You'll have to sit back and watch without retaliatory sin as others wring out your last drop. "pick up your cross and follow me"

Same way Jesus went through hell on earth and cried "not my will but yours be done" and "why have you forsaken me?"
Job, Moses, Elijah, all of them did excellent, but Jesus aced it and told us how.
Die every way you can for others at their very hands if necessary.

 

[Kerry]

No no no OP. Job had nothing to with what happened. Read it carefully. Its about God and satan. They were both battling over Job. This also happens to present day believers. Job was so shocked, but it had nothing to with Him. As a matter of a fact God picked the fight. Have you seen my servant Job.

 

[MaggieMye]

To put it simply, because of his sin.
I hear many people use Job as an excuse to blame God for their sickness, the very thing Jesus bore on the cross so that we wouldn't have to.
One reason God not only allowed satan to inflict Job, but encouraged him, was due to Job's sin. A sin he couldn't see.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

He was righteous in his own eye because of his works. [/QUOTWAAAAAY OFF! You need to reread the book of JOB.

 

[SirLucan]

To put it simply, because of his sin.
I hear many people use Job as an excuse to blame God for their sickness, the very thing Jesus bore on the cross so that we wouldn't have to.
One reason God not only allowed satan to inflict Job, but encouraged him, was due to Job's sin. A sin he couldn't see.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

He was righteous in his own eye because of his works.

Hi Know1
I love the story of Job.
Job chose to suffer. What do I mean? Suffering is enduring. He would not change course when he lost all things.

He proved Satan wrong. People do serve God even if they aren't prospering.

The popular opinion in Job's day, the less a person had, the more physical problems, then the more a sinner they were. That's proven to be false.

Job did sin, but he knew his loss was not because of sin. That's why he says he has nothing to repent of. He lived a life repentance. He was not hiding anything. Remember, he offered sacrifice for himself and his family. The three friends want him to repent, confess sin, so that the pain, the loss will go away. Job says "I have nothing to repent of. I am not hiding any sin."

As far as we know, Job was never told why he was afflicted.

Jesus. He is the only one with no sin, but He went through a life of pain, and then a most horrific death.
The wise man built his house upon the sand, yep, the rains, the storm beat against his house.

We all will face pain. Trials.

Let us have the patience of Job.

 

[4enlightment]

To put it simply, because of his sin.
I hear many people use Job as an excuse to blame God for their sickness, the very thing Jesus bore on the cross so that we wouldn't have to.
One reason God not only allowed satan to inflict Job, but encouraged him, was due to Job's sin. A sin he couldn't see.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

He was righteous in his own eye because of his works.

Everyone has to be tested to prove their love for God and to unveil their weakness. God has said that He would not abandon us or forsake us even under pressure. Jesus was tested by satan and He never abandon His sheep.

1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Revelation 2:4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Deuteronomy 31:16And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them.

Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

[overcomer2]

No no no OP. Job had nothing to with what happened. Read it carefully. Its about God and satan. They were both battling over Job. This also happens to present day believers. Job was so shocked, but it had nothing to with Him. As a matter of a fact God picked the fight. Have you seen my servant Job.

The scripture says:

[SUP]Job 1:12 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Satan is ruler of the world right now, (all that he hath is in thy power) The Lord was simply stating what is already known to Satan that he has the power on Earth now. The Lord reminded him the soul he could not touch. Satan will make war with the Saints.

 

[notuptome]

Job suffered for God's glory. Every believer ought to be ready to suffer for God's glory. Does the Potter have power over the clay? Suffer for Him and reign with Him. What is this brief period of life in the flesh compared to all of eternity?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[SirLucan]

Everyone has to be tested to prove their love for God and to unveil their weakness. God has said that He would not abandon us or forsake us even under pressure. Jesus was tested by satan and He never abandon His sheep.

1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Revelation 2:4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Deuteronomy 31:16And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them.

Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

4enlightenment, You are right! Good post. I guarantee Job not only loved the Lord more after his (Job's) trials, but he understood more about the Lord's love toward him. Good post.
Thank you

 

[BeanieD]

Read Job 1:6-12, It was not sin. Statn wanted to try to prove something to God, but God knew Job wouldn't give. It was a testing, not of God, but of Satan which God allowed to show satan he was wrong. Satan basically told God that job was a good man because he had a great life and prospered in all he did and that if things were to turn around, Job would cave. WRONG!!


blessings

 

[SirLucan]

Do you think Job sinned after in his following days ?

Do you think Job sinned before the encounter with the devil ?

Yes. He was not without sin. He offered up sacrifices to God for his sin. When Job says he has not sinned, he is speaking in the context to a common belief. That belief is that when a person loses great blessings to poverty, whether physical or monetary, the person is being punished by God. The loss is an indication that the person is sinning and is continue in it, is unrepentant. Maybe the sin is stealing. The person is stealing money out of the cash drawer at work. Well, that goes on for a few months. Person doesn't care. Eventually the person gets sick, loses the job, loses the house, etc. The three friends of Job thought that was the case with Job. He was involved with some sin and not repenting of it.

Job says No. I have nothing to repent of. I understand why you think I do. I believe what you three believe. I believe that people experience this hardship because they've done wrong. But I haven't done anything to deserve this.

That's essentially what Job means when he says he has not sinned. He's not saying he's never sinned. If he believed that, he would not have a righteous and upright man. No sir.

Remember, Job offered sacrifice for his sin for his family.

Yes, Job sinned before and after the period of hardship and pain. But he was not unrepentant of any sin.

Good question.

 

[know1]

Well, I'm not surprised at the overwhelming negative responses I received. I have a little more to say on the subject.

Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
God laid these things to Job's charge. These things God already knew was in Job's heart, the trial just brought it out.

Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Have you ever tried to talk to someone that was righteous in their own eyes? They don't need to be sorry for anything or repent, because they didn't do anything wrong. Have you talked to anyone that was righteous because of their good deeds?

Job 40:8 Are you trying to prove that I am unjust--- to put me in the wrong and yourself in the right?
Job 40:9 Are you as strong as I am? Can your voice thunder as loud as mine?
Job 40:10 If so, stand up in your honor and pride; clothe yourself with majesty and glory.
Job 40:11 Look at those who are proud; pour out your anger and humble them.
Job 40:12 Yes, look at them and bring them down; crush the wicked where they stand.
Job 40:13 Bury them all in the ground; bind them in the world of the dead.
Job 40:14 Then I will be the first to praise you and admit that you won the victory yourself.
Job 41:34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
God humbles the proud, and lift up the humble.
Why did God speak of the proud person to Job?
Why did God mention the leviathan being the king over the children of pride?
Was He directing it at Job, telling Job that he was walking in pride?

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride, meaning to strut; haughtiness (as evinced by the attitude):
When someone takes credit for the things they did, rather than giving glory to God, that person is walking in pride.
When a person is righteous in their own eyes because of the good things they have done in the natural, their righteousness is but filth to God. We all know this and have used it in our arguments, so why is it different when it comes to Job?

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
No one in the new testament ever called Job righteous. Patient, yes, but righteous, not...Why? He was perfect in all HIS ways, that is in all that he believed was right. He was an upright and just man, but he was not a righteous man. A person that does everything that they know they should do that is good and right, is perfect and upright in the eyes of God, but not righteous.

Rom_4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Gal_3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Jas_2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Righteousness was something that was not ascribed to Job like it was to Abraham. Abraham had faith in God, Job, as far as I can see, was stuck on his right living, and good works. It is one thing to be perfect and upright before God, it is an entirely different matter to be righteous before Him.

Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
If fear is the reciprocal or opposite of faith, and if one receives according to the faith in their heart, then one receives according to the fear that is in there too. For both are spiritual forces that come from the heart. And if it is something that one greatly fears and it is in abundance, it will come out the mouth. And if it comes out the mouth, it will come to pass in the natural world. So, it is obvious to me that what came on Job was the fear he gave voice to.

Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
By-the-way, fear is a sin in the eye of God. This is not the same as a godly fear. This is a fear that does not fully trust in God, but more in the possibilities of bad things happening in the natural. The word, evil, in the text, doesn't necessarily mean wicked, but hurtful or harmful. What you say can bite you in the butt.