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Job 1:1–5
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (v. 1).
In chapters 15 and 16 of 2 Samuel, we have observed David dealing with the turmoil of Absalom’s rebellion, the worst expression of the familial adversity that God swore to bring upon him as a result of his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. In coping with this adversity, David had good and not-so-good moments. On the not-so-good side, he reacted too quickly to a false report that Mephibosheth had betrayed him and rashly decreed that Mephibosheth’s property be given to his scheming steward (2 Sam. 16:3–4). However, on the good side, David left his cause in God’s hands, telling Zadok the priest: “If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back…. But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him'” (15:25b–26). And he accepted Shimei’s curses as his just due for his evil (16:10–12). These responses provide excellent examples of godly behavior under affliction.
Of course, the supreme Scriptural study of human behavior under duress is that of Job. This man went through unbelievable suffering, but he generally conducted himself in a godly manner. Because affliction is a fact of life for all Christians, we stand to benefit significantly by spending time studying Job’s words and deeds, both positive and negative. Therefore, we will take a break from David’s affliction to spend a few days studying the afflictions of Job using Dr. R.C. Sproul’s audio teaching series Job as a resource.
The book of Job is often listed among the classics of literature. But the book not only has a magnificent style, it has a magnificent theme. It deals with the supreme philosophical question for the Jews—the problem of evil and particularly the aspect of suffering. The question is simple: If God is good, why is there so much suffering in the world? Philosophers have declared that if God is omnipotent but allows suffering, He must not be loving. However, if He is loving but cannot prevent suffering, He must not be omnipotent. It is a knotty problem.
The book of Job addresses this problem by presenting a man who is described as “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” And yet, he passes through excruciating suffering. We will look at the reasons for that suffering and his response to it in our next few studies.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Have you been forced to contemplate the meaning of suffering, either by experiencing it or by observing it in the life of another? What did you conclude? Do you believe God can be both all-powerful and all-loving while allowing suffering? Study the verses below and pray that God will use this brief study to help you understand this matter.
For Further Study
- 2 Chron. 32:31
- Acts 17:25–28
- 2 Cor. 12:7–9
- 1 John 4:8–16