(The following is the conclusion of our Commentary on the Book of Job. To learn more about our commentaries and books, go to www.lighttomypath.net/sales.)
One wonders, as the story of the book of Job concludes, at the fact that God never did explain to Job the real reason for his suffering. We were told the reason in the very beginning of the book, yet the record nowhere states that God ever told Job. Over and over Job and his friends disputed the reason why Job was suffering. This one issue was the major theme of the book till God spoke. Yet the book ends without Job or his friends ever learning the answer! This used to really frustrate me. It almost appears that God missed the point of the discussion – that He never even discussed the real issue. But of course, we must never think God makes a mistake – that would be similar to the error Job committed. So why did God not answer Job’s questions?
One wonders, as the story of the book of Job concludes, at the fact that God never did explain to Job the real reason for his suffering. We were told the reason in the very beginning of the book, yet the record nowhere states that God ever told Job. Over and over Job and his friends disputed the reason why Job was suffering. This one issue was the major theme of the book till God spoke. Yet the book ends without Job or his friends ever learning the answer! This used to really frustrate me. It almost appears that God missed the point of the discussion – that He never even discussed the real issue. But of course, we must never think God makes a mistake – that would be similar to the error Job committed. So why did God not answer Job’s questions?
So, what God did was to teach Job the real lesson and the
most important lesson for every sufferer to understand. We may never know why
we suffer, but the main lesson we need to learn is that we must trust God
to take care of us and to do what is right at all times, including when events
don’t seem to make sense to us according to our human wisdom. We are
not wise enough to be in charge of this universe. God is the only One wise
enough and powerful enough to be in charge. We must trust Him to do right, even
when we don’t understand. That is the real point God made to Job. God has
proved He is the only one wise enough to handle all this.
Applications of the lesson God taught Job
And the same lesson applies in many other areas besides
suffering. Lots of people have the same problem Job had, just regarding other
issues. Often people doubt or question God’s wisdom: why does God do what He
does or give us the commands that He gives? Often these doubts lead people to
criticize God’s word or to refuse to obey it.
* Why did God let my loved one die? I just can’t believe in
a God who ...
* Why doesn’t God answer my prayer? I asked him for ... and
never received it. Why should I believe in a God who ....
* Why does God require baptism as a necessary condition to
salvation? I just can’t believe...
* These good people believe in God and they are sincere and
conscientious. Why isn’t that good enough? I just can’t believe all these good
people will be lost.
* Why must we have the Lord's Supper every Sunday? Why can’t
we have it on weekdays or once a month or once a year?
* Why would God say the man should be the head of the
family? I can’t believe in a God ...
* Why is fornication the only acceptable reason for divorce?
Why can’t a woman get a divorce if her husband is a drunken, worthless bum? I
just can’t believe that God would require people to give up a spouse just
because their divorce was for some other reason.
* Why wouldn’t God want instruments in music? They sound
good and we can use our talents for God. I just can’t believe ...
* Why can’t women be preachers and elders? What kind of God
....
* I just can’t believe in a God who would send people to
hell.
I have heard people say virtually all these things. And we
can go on and on.
We may or may not be able to give reasons for these commands
that would satisfy the human reasoning of people. And we should show people
exactly what the Bible says for each subject the question. But many people will
still reject the truth because God didn’t say what they want or expected Him to
say. Like Job, they want God to explain and justify His decisions to their
satisfaction. If it doesn’t make sense to their way of thinking, they will
criticize what God says in His word or refuse to believe it or completely
reject God.
What is the answer to people who have such issues and criticisms?
Must God tell us why He made all these choices and gave all
these commands? Must He reason with us on our level till we understand, and do
we have the right to criticize His choices if we don’t understand? He may
choose to answer and give His reasons. But He is not required to answer, and in
many cases we would never understand no matter how hard He tried to explain
(Deuteronomy 29:29).
The answer to all such issues is the same one God gave to
Job:
Did you make those stars in the sky?
Do you make the sun rise and set every day?
Did you make the earth, the mountains, and the sea?
Do you make the lightning, thunder, and rain?
Did you make all the animals and plants?
In short, who made the universe and who is in charge here?
If we do not have the power and wisdom to make these things or to control them,
who are we to criticize the wisdom and decisions of the one who did?
In short, when we question or doubt God’s decisions, the
main issue is authority – dominion – sovereignty - preeminence. Who
is in charge here? Who is on the throne and who must bow before the throne?
That is the ultimate issue. God’s answer to Job was exactly the right answer,
and it is the same answer we need to be given when we begin to doubt and
criticize the sovereignty of God and His right to do what He chooses to do in
the world that He made.
Illustration of the rug maker
The story is told of a Persian rug maker who views his rug
being made suspended on a rack. Behind the rug are his assistants who must
place each thread in place as he instructs them. From their side, the rug does
not look beautiful. In fact, they may often question why the master instructs
them as he does. They may think it does not make sense. That is because their
knowledge is too limited. They do not see the whole picture from the view of
the master who knows what is best. And even if he tried to explain it to them,
they would not understand, because they simply cannot see from their
perspective what he is trying to do. Their job is to follow instructions and
trust the master that he knows what he is doing, so that the end product will
be good if they just do what he says. And someday they will be able to move to
the same side as the master and will see the real beauty of what they have
made.
So God instructs us how to live our lives. From our earthly
viewpoint as finite humans with our limited knowledge, we often do not see how
the things that happen in our lives can be good for us or others. But that is
only because we cannot see things from the viewpoint of the all-wise God who
sees the whole picture from His infinite wisdom. And even if He tried to explain
it, much of it we could never understand till the end product is complete. So
we must not doubt God’s wisdom or dispute His will. Instead, we must trust Him
that He knows what He is doing. Our job is to just follow His instructions,
whether or not they seem to make sense at the time. But if we believe Him and
obey, someday we will be with Him in eternity where we can see things from His
viewpoint. Then we will understand the beauty of what He has done with our
lives.
Job and his friends argued on and on with endless repetition
about the reason why Job was suffering. The reasons why men suffer are
worthwhile considering. But God showed Job and his friends that there was a
greater question. When we suffer, we do not need to know why we suffer so
much as we need to put our trust in the One who is in charge. He knows why we
suffer, but more important He can care for us, help us through our troubles,
and ultimately reward us with eternal life in a land where no one suffers.
Faith does not need to know all the whys and wherefores. It is enough to know
God is in charge and He is wise enough to handle it properly. Do not doubt.
Just obey Him in faith. That is the lesson of the book of Job. Have we
learned the lesson? We will probably spend our entire lives learning it.
(C) Copyright 2014, David E. Pratte You are free to keep copies of this material on computer and/or in printed form for your own further study. If you have any other requests about the use of this material, please read our copyright guidelines at www.gospelway.com/copyrite.htm.
