Job 21

Read Job 21

Job's friends would do well to listen to his words and consider them. His teaching is true, but they are unable to receive it. The presentation of truth is sometimes more complex than the teaching of error. Job’s friends have a very simple point to make. Though they have not yet accused Job as plainly as they might, their point is still clear: A suffering man's troubles are a sign of the judgment of God against that man. Though others may have considered Job to be wise and righteous, it is evident that God does not see it that way. Why else would He give the man such horrific losses? It must be because of the man's secret sins. Therefore, a suffering man should repent. This is their simple idea.

This understanding of the providence of God is not correct. Job's words tell a more complex story. He approaches this question of suffering from a different angle. His friends have presumed to suggest sin where they have no proof. What about the lives of those who display their wickedness openly in a way that is obvious to all? Do they regularly have their lives fall apart in the manner that Job has experienced? What does the evidence show?

Job urges this reasoning upon his friends, claiming that his words would be their comfort. Even though a false view of trials might seem comforting to those who are not in the midst of sorrow, it will not serve them well when an evil day touches them. The truth will be more comforting, though it might not seem to bring any hope when it is first considered. The truth begins with God, looks at the fact of Job's righteousness that was known to all, and then wonders at the Lord's providence. It does not deny the sovereignty of God or Job's exemplary character. The truth waits upon the Lord, knowing that there is much that has not yet been revealed, and that even the revealed things may not yet be fully understood by us. The truth does not deny Job's honest lament. It turns ever toward the Lord, though a man may not be able to comprehend what he sees with his own eyes.

Job speaks mostly about the wicked in this chapter instead of the righteous. The friends of Job should readily see his point when they investigate the clear facts in the case of those who are known to be unrighteous. The wicked live. Sometimes they live a long time. They may have many children, and those children may live long and healthy lives. They may have many possessions and seem to be very happy and self-satisfied. They do not appear to be troubled that something is missing in their lives. They seem to have everything.

Not only are the wicked often happy in life, they may even be a picture of peace in death. They go to the grave in peace, as far as anyone can observe. They may have not wanted anything to do with God or God's ways. They may have actually spoken against God or denied His power and His love. Why are people in that situation allowed by God to have prosperity? This story occurs all the time if we are willing to be honest with the evidence. We may think that the trouble that the wicked deserve will ultimately be visited upon their children, but there are many children of wicked people that appear to be doing very well. Even if God does visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him, isn't it the case that some people who are concerned only with themselves will not be troubled by the difficulties that their descendants face?

Surely God knows what is right, but as men honestly observe the wicked, does it make sense to us to see them and their children doing so well? No matter how we may evaluate the life of any man and no matter how appropriate or inappropriate we may consider the patience and mercy of God in any one case, isn't it still the fact that all people go to the grave? How can we make sense of that? There is something that just does not add up according to human observation and sanctified reasoning. This is a key insight, one that will bring us comfort as we rest upon the Lord who knows.

The fact is that Job's comforters bring no comfort. Though their simple view of life may appeal to those who do not know any better, all that anyone would have to do to have second thoughts about this theory is to talk to people who know that the righteous often suffer deeply while the wicked live easy and happy lives. If they would think about that, then they could come to Job's conclusion that something in all of this is just not right, and that their teachings on suffering are just empty notions.

What is somewhat surprising is that the discovery of the brokenness of this world could actually yield comfort to the one who is willing to ascribe the greatest power, wisdom, and glory to Almighty God. God knows that the righteous suffer, and He knows that the wicked often live at ease. He knows that things don't add up. He knows what we also should be able to embrace, that there must be something more. It is this something more, this better ending befitting such a great God, which caused Him to enter into our pain so fully in the person of His Son. The death and resurrection of Jesus and the renewal of the earth is the more complicated divine answer that finally satisfies our souls. Those who think that everybody receives what they deserve have oversimplified the data to tell a story that simply is not true. God's plan of suffering and grace is a much better story, and it does bring glory to God and true comfort to people who deal with the real facts of life.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, not every event that happens in Your providence is easily understood by us. Some men who are very wicked live unusually long lives. They may have many descendants, and people mourn their loss when they die. A righteous man may die in the prime of His youth and no one knows what to say. Who can fathom the loss of the unborn child? There is so much that we do not understand. One man dies with such a wonderful life story of achievement and joy. Another has been witness to so many horrors. They both go to the grave. We are given no answer to these facts. They cause us to wonder about You. Yet You are the everlasting God, and You are worthy of our full and everlasting trust. We believe in You. We know that You are in control. Help us, O Lord.