Lessons from Job

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:10-11, NIV[1]).

<      In allowing him to be tested, God was actually commending Job for his character (1:8; 2:3; see chapters 29 and 31 for specifics). God knew he had the faith and perseverance necessary for navigating through the coming suffering in spite of his occasional questioning and faltering along the way. Like a superior coach of a well-trained team, God knew Job had it in him to come out on top. Perhaps it would not be going too far to say that God was proud of him.

<      There is a battle between God and Satan, with us as the target (1:9-11; 2:4-5).

<      We cannot always know the reason for specific instances of suffering.

<      We have much to learn from those who are older in the faith even though their understanding is not perfect and their application of principles to specific events is sometimes faulty. For example, the young Elihu (34:10-12), presented a general principle maintained by the three, and by Job himself. This general principle is found throughout Scripture, e.g., Gal. 6:7, “A man reaps what he sows.” But to make it universal, without taking into account other factors, is a mistake, an error that underlies most of the misguided reasoning of the human characters in the book of Job.

<      Even the righteous suffer.  “Job . . . was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (1:1). Job faltered along the way (e.g., 9:16-20; 19:6-7), but he suffered in spite of the fact that God thought well of him: “‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. . . . And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason’” (1:8; 2:3).

<      We do not always know which events or circumstances are directly caused by God. God allowed the tragedies that befell Job the first day (1:12-19), but Job had no way of knowing that Satan was actually causing the mayhem. We can only speculate regarding whether Job was ever told the truth—we only know it because of an anonymous writer. That the writer was not Job may be implied in the record of his death, although Scripture does indicate that some books were finished by someone other than the primary author (Deuteronomy 34; Joshua 24:28-33).

<      We must remain faithful regardless of circumstances. We must respect, in faith, God’s decisions in responding to circumstances. Job came to realize this only after God’s rebuke (42:1-6).

<      God blesses the faithful (1:2-3; 42:12-17), in spite of faltering along the way. This was evident at the beginning and again after the ordeal.

<      The suffering need our support, not our explanations or incriminations: 6:14; 16:2.

<      Even after we question God to the point of accusing Him of being unfair, He forgives the penitent. 42:7-10.

<      God has compassion on the righteous even when they fall into despair due to hard times; for they come to Him with weak faith, not necessarily with a loss of faith.

<      Our perseverance gives God, as well as us, victory over Satan. James 5:11.

<      Only God is the infallible source of wisdom. Chapter 28.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV).