Purpose in Affliction

After listening to his “friends” repeatedly attribute his suffering to some sin in his life, Job’s patience begins to wear thin, and he responds with greater anger and bitterness. He begins by looking back to the good old days, the days when the friendship of God was with him (29:4)—as if it is not with him now. He goes on to speak of the pain of the mockery he has endured (ch. 30), then defends his righteousness (ch. 31). He says he could understand his suffering if he had done certain things, but he insists he is not guilty of those evils. Like his friends, Job is making the assumption that there is a correspondence between sin and affliction. Subtly, he is accusing God of injustice by bringing suffering on him for no reason. If there is a reason, Job wants to know it. He is challenging God to explain Himself.

When Job falls silent, Elihu begins to speak. He more or less restates the arguments of Job’s other friends. But he also says this: “Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words” (33:13). This is the key to Job’s struggle—he very much wants God to give him an accounting.

As the book of Job reaches its climax, God Himself takes center stage to respond to Job’s complaints and insinuations. As Elihu said, He does not explain His providences. Rather, He speaks to show Job his folly. He asks, “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (38:2). God is asking Job, “Who do you think you are?” Then, in order that Job might see how presumptuous he is to expect an explanation, God begins to recount His mighty works of Creation. Again and again God speaks of some wonder of Creation and asks whether Job knows how it was accomplished or whether he can duplicate it. Overwhelmed, Job finally declares: “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once 1 have spoken, but I will not answer. Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further” (40:4–5). Finally, he has seen that he has no right to question God. But God goes on: “Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?” (40:8). At the end, Job can only cry, “No purpose of Yours can be withheld from You…. I have uttered what I did not understand” (42:2b–3a). He now sees that God is righteous in all His providences, including the afflictions of His people.