Misconceptions about suffering

The Book of Job

Introduction

• Job was “blameless and upright” (1:1)• God was made happy by his life (1:8)

Job 1:8

•The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."

Introduction

• Job was “blameless and upright” (1:1)• God was made happy by his life (1:8)

• Satan accused Job of bad motives (1:9,10)

• God allowed Satan to tempt Job in two stages:

• Took away his children and wealth• His body was afflicted

• Job’s friends came to see him (2:11-13)

Misconceptions can be dangerous!

• Often found in the midst of wisdom• Can Anger God - (42:7) “The LORD

said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.”

• So often we speak when we should be silent.

Misconceptions About Suffering

1. Suffering is always proportionate to sin

Misconceptions…about sin and suffering

• Eliphaz (4:7-9) 7 “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?”

• 8 “According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity And those who sow trouble harvest it.”

• 9 By the breath of God they perish, And by the blast of His anger they come to an end.”

Misconceptions… about sin and suffering

• Bildad (8:4-6) 4 “If your sons sinned against Him, Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression.

• 5 If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty,

• 6 If you are pure and upright, Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate.”

Misconceptions… about sin and suffering

• Zophar (11:13,15,16) 13 “If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him,”

• 15 “Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear.

• 16 For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it.”

Job’s complaint - no compassion

• They were “miserable comforters” (16:2)

• “Wisdom would die with them.” (12:2)• 13:4,5

“But you smear with lies; You are all worthless physicians.O that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom!”

Misconceptions About Suffering

1. Suffering is always proportionate to sin

2. The suffering of the righteous comes directly from God’s hand

“Blaming God” unjustly

•Eliphaz - “For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal.” (5:18)

• Job - “For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.” (6:4)

“Blaming God” unjustly: (16:9, 12, 13)

• 9 His anger has torn me and hunted me down, He has gnashed at me with His teeth; My adversary glares at me.

• 12 I was at ease, but He shattered me, And He has grasped me by the neck and shaken me to pieces; He has also set me up as His target.

• 13 His arrows surround me. Without mercy He splits my kidneys open; He pours out my gall on the ground.

Misconceptions About Suffering

1. Suffering is always proportionate to sin2. The suffering of the righteous comes

directly from God’s hand

3. God will give us a sign when we suffer to tell us how to proceed.

Job wanted a “sign”

• (6:24) “Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.”

• (19:7) “Behold, I cry, 'Violence!' but I get no answer; I shout for help, but there is no justice.”

Misconceptions About Suffering

1. Suffering is always proportionate to sin2. The suffering of the righteous comes

directly from God’s hand3. God will give us a sign when we suffer

to tell us how to proceed.

4. God is inaccessible to us in our suffering

Job felt God was Inaccessible

• (23:3) “Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!”

• (30:20) “I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You turn Your attention against me.”

Suffering lets us share with Christ - 1 Peter 4:12,13

•“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your

testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

•but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing…”

Misconceptions About Suffering

1. Suffering is always proportionate to sin2. The suffering of the righteous comes

directly from God’s hand3. God will give us a sign when we suffer

to tell us how to proceed. 4. God is inaccessible to us in our suffering

5. Nothing good can ever come out of suffering

Job’s concept: All is futility

• “So am I allotted months of vanity.” (7:3)

• “My eye will not again see good.” (7:7)

• “Why did I not die at birth, Come forth from the womb and expire?” (3:11)

Blessings from Job’s suffering

• His example has taught lessons to others through the ages.

• Satan was dealt a great defeat.• He was given greater material

blessings (42:12, 13)• He trusted more in Jehovah, less in

self.• He has eternal life.

Misconceptions About Suffering

1. Suffering is always proportionate to sin2. The suffering of the righteous comes

directly from God’s hand3. God will give us a sign when we suffer to

tell us how to proceed. 4. God is inaccessible to us in our suffering

5. Nothing good can ever come out of suffering