Job, the first book of poetical or wisdom writings, shows that we live in two realms—the unseen, eternal spirit realm, and the visible, earthly temporary realm. In the story of Job, WE know what’s going on in both realms, but the characters of the story—Job, his wife and friends—did not. God shows the heavenly host, AND US today, that He (God) is worthy of our praise and adoration, and that it is possible for us to remain faithful to God even in the midst of terrible hardship and suffering.
Part 1: Life is good. Job had a wonderful wife and family. He was wealthy and highly respected by others. Job was godly. He honoured God in all that he did. He pursued right and resisted evil.
Part 2: Trouble comes. The spotlight goes to the heavenly realm.
Satan came from roaming through the earth, and God asked what he thought of Job. Satan essentially said, “The only reason Job fears You is to get wealth, health and prosperity from You.”
With God’s permission, Satan left the heavenly realm, came to the earthly realm, and unleashed his diabolical fury on Job’s family and livelihood. Job lost everything—his livestock, his wealth, his servants, even his children. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Satan approached God again and said, “Let me destroy his health and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, … but you must spare his life.” Satan then afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
Job went to the city dump and sat on an ash heap. His wife’s faith collapsed. She said, “Curse God and die!” Job replied, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Part 3: Friends come. Three friends sat on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights without saying a word. This powerful act of friendship became a Jewish tradition known as sitting ‘Shiva.’ After 7 days of silence, Job spoke. He refused to curse God, but he cursed the day he was born. One moment he screamed AT GOD and the next moment he screamed FOR GOD.
Job’s friends told him he was suffering because of sin in his life. They basically said, “You reap what you sow. Innocent people don’t suffer.”
Part 4. God speaks. God addressed Job out of a storm and peppered him with 70 questions that Job couldn’t answer. God essentially said, “Who are you to question Me?”
Part 5. Job repents. After having an amazing encounter with God, Job humbled himself and repented of his arrogance and pride. Even though Job never received answers to his questions, he ultimately found peace and healing because through this time of trial he discovered that knowing God is better than knowing the answers.
Part 6. God blesses. In the end God restored to Job double what he had lost.
Principles from Job’s story:
- God allows troubles in order to accomplish a greater purpose. Romans 8:28 teaches that God will USE all things, even what Satan meant for evil, to accomplish His purpose.
- Nothing will touch you that God does not allow. God sets limits to what Satan can do.
- When God is silent, trust Him anyway.
- Trust God even when there are no answers.