April 25, 2024

I'm suffering. Did God get it wrong?

Job 34

Krista McCoy
Today's Devo

April 25, 2024

Today's Devo

April 25, 2024

Today's Devo

April 25, 2024

Today's Devo

April 25, 2024

Big Book Idea

God is at work even when we can't see it.

Key Verse | Job 34:10

"Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:
far be it from God that he should do wickedness,
and from the Almighty that he should do wrong."

Job 34

Elihu Asserts God's Justice

1 Then Elihu answered and said:

2  “Hear my words, you wise men,
    and give ear to me, you who know;
3  for the ear tests words
    as the palate tastes food.
4  Let us choose what is right;
    let us know among ourselves what is good.
5  For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,
    and God has taken away my right;
6  in spite of my right I am counted a liar;
    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7  What man is like Job,
    who drinks up scoffing like water,
8  who travels in company with evildoers
    and walks with wicked men?
9  For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing
    that he should take delight in God.’

10  Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:
    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,
    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
11  For according to the work of a man he will repay him,
    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
12  Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,
    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13  Who gave him charge over the earth,
    and who laid on him 1 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him the whole world?
14  If he should set his heart to it
    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
15  all flesh would perish together,
    and man would return to dust.

16  If you have understanding, hear this;
    listen to what I say.
17  Shall one who hates justice govern?
    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18  who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’
    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’
19  who shows no partiality to princes,
    nor regards the rich more than the poor,
    for they are all the work of his hands?
20  In a moment they die;
    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,
    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.

21  For his eyes are on the ways of a man,
    and he sees all his steps.
22  There is no gloom or deep darkness
    where evildoers may hide themselves.
23  For God 2 34:23 Hebrew he has no need to consider a man further,
    that he should go before God in judgment.
24  He shatters the mighty without investigation
    and sets others in their place.
25  Thus, knowing their works,
    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26  He strikes them for their wickedness
    in a place for all to see,
27  because they turned aside from following him
    and had no regard for any of his ways,
28  so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,
    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—
29  When he is quiet, who can condemn?
    When he hides his face, who can behold him,
    whether it be a nation or a man?—
30  that a godless man should not reign,
    that he should not ensnare the people.

31  For has anyone said to God,
    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;
32  teach me what I do not see;
    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
33  Will he then make repayment to suit you,
    because you reject it?
For you must choose, and not I;
    therefore declare what you know. 3 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 2933 is uncertain
34  Men of understanding will say to me,
    and the wise man who hears me will say:
35  ‘Job speaks without knowledge;
    his words are without insight.’
36  Would that Job were tried to the end,
    because he answers like wicked men.
37  For he adds rebellion to his sin;
    he claps his hands among us
    and multiplies his words against God.”

Footnotes

[1] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him
[2] 34:23 Hebrew he
[3] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain
Table of Contents
Introduction to Job

Introduction to Job

Timeline

Author and Date

The unknown Israelite author of this book presents Job as a person living in Uz (see note on 1:1). Job’s godliness (1:1) matches the ideals of Israelite wisdom literature. He clearly knows Yahweh (1:21). The events of the book seem to be set in the times of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

Theological Themes

The book of Job concerns itself with the question of faith in a sovereign God. Can God be trusted? Is he good and just in his rule of the world? The book shows that the reasons for human suffering often remain a secret to human beings.

In the book of Job, God seems both too close and too far away. On the one hand, Job complains that God is watching him every moment so that he cannot even swallow his spit (7:19). On the other hand, Job finds God elusive (9:11). Though God is greatly concerned about humans, he does not always answer their most agonizing questions.

At the same time, Job’s friends offer no real help. They come to “comfort” him (2:11), but Job ends up declaring them “miserable comforters” who would console him “with empty nothings” (21:34). These friends represent an oversimplified view of faith. They think that all human troubles are divine punishments for wrongdoing. Their “comfort” consists largely of urging Job to identify his sin and repent of it. These friends are negative examples of how to comfort those who are suffering.

The book illustrates that one does not need to fully understand God’s will in order to be faithful while suffering. Those who suffer need not be afraid to express to God their confusion and questions.

Purpose

The book of Job was written to those who struggle with the question of how God can be good when the world is filled with suffering.

The author does not provide a formal defense of God’s justice. Rather, as Job’s friends offer their inadequate answers, the author shows how their reasoning fails. Then, in chs. 38–41, the Lord speaks in his own defense, bringing Job to fuller understanding (ch. 42).

Even during his suffering and confusion, before God finally speaks, Job can triumphantly declare, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (19:25).

Outline

  1. Prologue: Job’s Character and the Circumstances of His Test (1:1–2:13)
  2. Dialogue: Job, His Suffering, and His Standing before God (3:1–42:6)
    1. Job: despair for the day of his birth (3:1–26)
    2. The friends and Job: can Job be right before God? (4:1–25:6)
      1. First cycle (4:1–14:22)
      2. Second cycle (15:1–21:34)
      3. Third cycle (22:1–25:6)
    3. Job: the power of God, place of wisdom, and path of integrity (26:1–31:40)
    4. Elihu: suffering as a discipline (32:1–37:24)
    5. Challenge: the Lord answers Job (38:1–42:6)
  3. Epilogue: The Vindication, Intercession, and Restoration of Job (42:7–17)
The Global Message of Job

The Global Message of Job

Universal Questions

With its story of one man’s life and suffering, the book of Job raises universal questions. Why do people suffer, especially godly people? Where is God in suffering? Can God be trusted amid suffering? Job’s friends try to answer such questions with superficial and simplistic solutions, eventually earning God’s rebuke (Job 42:7–9).

Ultimately we learn from Job that we can hope steadfastly in our sovereign God. Instead of providing easy answers to hard questions, this incomparably glorious, all-knowing, and almighty God presents to people in all places and in all times the simplest, most powerful, and most universal answer to these questions. God’s answer to human suffering has everything to do with his own infinite goodness and care for his creation.

Suffering in a Fallen World

In the life of Job we see the breadth and depth of human suffering. We see suffering in health (Job 2:7), suffering in the loss of property (1:14–17), and suffering in the tragic death of family members (1:18–19). In Job we also listen in on a discussion in the heavenly courtroom between God and Satan (1:6–12; 2:1–7), in which God delights in the upright life of Job. There we are given a window into the normally invisible reasons for our trials and suffering.

Sin and suffering. Suffering is universal, though the kind of suffering differs from circumstance to circumstance. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin. There is no such thing as sin without consequences. Sometimes God himself directly chastises his people for their sins. However, Job’s friends are wrong to assume that his suffering is a direct result of disobedience (Job 8:4), and it would likewise be wrong to conclude that all or even most suffering in the world today is divine punishment for specific sins. The speeches of Eliphaz (chs. 4; 5; 15; 22), Bildad (chs. 8; 18; 25), and Zophar (chs. 11; 20) reflect such wrong assumptions.

Common suffering. Another type of suffering is what we might call “common suffering.” This is suffering that affects all people without distinction. It is simply the result of living in a fallen world. It includes health problems from colds to cancer. It includes bad weather, earthquakes, and typhoons. It includes financial struggles, and even death itself. Each tragic incident in Job’s life includes an element of this common suffering.

Godliness and suffering. Not only are godly people afflicted with suffering just as others are, but the godly experience some kinds of suffering due specifically to their godliness (Matt. 10:24–33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12). Faithfulness to Christ will bring insult and at times persecution—suffering that could be avoided if we were not disciples of Christ. We see this principle in Job, for it was precisely Job’s uprightness that prompted God to single him out to Satan and then led Satan to seek to afflict him (Job 1:8–12).

Devastating suffering. Job’s suffering is uniquely profound and painful. Some suffering, we learn, defies any category. We discover in Job that Satan has a hand in some of the suffering of God’s people (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7; compare 2 Cor. 12:1–10). But even such demonically instigated suffering is not outside of God’s sovereignty. Nor should our focus be on Satan when we suffer but rather on persisting in steadfast faith amid such God-ordained pain. At the very least a lesson to be learned from Job is that our vision and insight into suffering is severely limited. What is not limited, however, is God’s perfect understanding and sovereign control over every event in our lives. In the “Yahweh speeches” of Job (chs. 38–41), God does not engage Job in the details of his questions and complaints. Rather, God reminds Job that God is God and Job is not. God laid the foundation of the earth (38:4); he is God over the seas (38:8, 16), over the stars (38:31–33), and over every creature (39:1–30; 40:15–41:34).

A Global Message of Comfort and Hope

The almighty, all-good God. Despite its focus on challenges and sufferings, the book of Job speaks a message of great hope to the world. We live in a world longing for comfort and hope, and such hope is found in the sovereign God who sees, who is good, and who is faithful. We are not victims of random fate or uncontrolled circumstances. We are loved faithfully and passionately by a sovereign God who works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). The suffering global church can take comfort amid suffering, knowing that God is pleased with our faithfulness to him, even as God expressed delight in “my servant Job” (Job 1:6–8; 2:3). James 5:11 reminds us that God will fulfill his good purposes and is indeed compassionate and merciful toward his people.

No neat formulas. Living an upright life of faith in God does not exempt us from suffering. This was the fundamental misunderstanding of Job’s friends (Job 8:6) and the reason that their “comfort” was so “miserable” (16:2). Indeed, in Job and in all of Scripture we see that suffering is a part of the experience of godly people, and that suffering is also a means for our sanctification. Suffering is a blessing as through it we learn that God’s ways and purposes are much greater than we can know (chs. 40–41). His purposes and faithfulness are much greater than the achievement of ease and a comfortable life; the global church must not make an idol out of worldly comfort and earthly abundance.

The sufferings of the Savior. Job confessed faith in the living Redeemer (Job 19:25). That Redeemer would one day come and suffer for us on a cross. Here we have yet another kind of suffering, the atoning sufferings of Christ. He suffered for our salvation, bearing the penalty for our sin. It is also our great privilege to share in his suffering (2 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:13). These are not the sufferings of health problems or bad weather or the consequences of our own folly. These are sufferings that flow from our union with and loyalty to Christ. There is a global attack on the righteous, but God will continue to provide sufficient grace to his people (2 Cor. 12:9).He will grow both his people and his kingdom through such suffering as it is endured in faith.

Our Intercession and Mission of Hope

Though God’s righteous anger burned against the three friends of Job, their folly was forgiven in response to the righteous intervention of Job’s prayers (Job 42:7–9). What then is the Christian response to those who suffer—and to those who cause suffering?

We are to intercede for the world, both in prayer and in life. We are to “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). This comfort must find expression in our ministry and service to those in need both where we live as well as around the world—to orphans, widows, and all those who suffer.

This comfort is most gloriously and eternally known as the church ministers the gospel of new hope in Christ to the world—to the lost, to the downtrodden, and even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44). For the greatest suffering in this world is not the loss of property or even family; it is to be lost in sin, without the living Redeemer.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Job Fact #1: Comfort

Fact: Comfort

Comfort is a key word in the book of Job. When faced with personal tragedies, Job receives no comfort from his friends (16:2). But when God answers him (see chs. 38–41), he finds the comfort he needs.

Job Fact #7: Three cycles of conversations

Fact: Three cycles of conversations

The book of Job includes three cycles of conversations in which the friends of Job offer their comfort and advice, and then listen as Job responds. The first cycle covers chs. 4–14.

Job Fact #15: Elihu

Fact: Elihu

Elihu is the only character in the book of Job with a Hebrew name.

Elihu

Elihu

Elihu rebuked both Job and his three friends. He was angry at Job for defending himself rather than God, and he was angry at Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar for failing to provide an answer for Job. During his lengthy speech, Elihu shifted the focus away from Job to God as the only source of certainty and hope. At the same time, he seemed to overestimate his own understanding, even claiming to speak “on God’s behalf” (36:2). Actually, Elihu didn’t understand the reasons for Job’s suffering any more than the three friends did, and his statements were often similar to theirs. Although there was some truth in Elihu’s argument, his application of those truths and the conclusions he drew about Job were often incorrect. (Job 32:1–5)

Study Notes

Job 34:3 palate tastes food. Truth is discerned through hearing, just as the quality of food is discerned through tasting. Job used this same proverb earlier to challenge his friends (12:11).

Study Notes

Job 34:8 Elihu describes Job as one who walks with evildoers and wicked men, a path that the wise are called to avoid (see Ps. 1:1).

Study Notes

Job 34:9 Although Job had stated that the wicked and the righteous seem to suffer the same fate, he did not say precisely what Elihu quotes him here as saying. Job had governed his own life by delight in God (see 23:10–12); he had argued that it was the wicked who live as if service to the Almighty profits a man nothing (see 21:15).

Study Notes

Job 34:10–12 Elihu’s argument against Job results in the same dilemma that the three friends had: either Job is in the right or God is in the right, but it cannot be both (see 8:2–7).

Study Notes

Job 34:23 God has no need to consider a man further. Job has been asking for an opportunity to present his case before either God or some human judge, but Elihu says that God has already acted and does not need to give further consideration to Job’s or any other person’s case.

Study Notes

Job 34:26–28 Elihu suggests that Job has been struck for all to see because he has turned aside from following the Lord’s ways by mistreating the poor and afflicted.

Study Notes

Job 34:1–37 Elihu calls on “wise men” to hear Job’s contention that he is in the right (vv. 2–9) and “men of understanding” to hear Elihu’s argument against this claim (vv. 10–34). He presents both groups as those who will agree with Elihu against Job (vv. 35–37).

Job 34:34–37 Elihu says that any who are truly men of understanding or wise would agree with him, and that Job speaks like a fool who is without knowledge or insight. Furthermore, Elihu wishes that God’s supposed judgment against Job would be taken to its logical end, because Job’s words express rebellion and arrogance against God.

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Dive Deeper | Job 34

Last summer, I was nannying for a family. One day I had decided to make the kids lunch before waking up the babies from their nap. I went upstairs to wake up the babies and the oldest child came to me; she wanted her lunch right then. I had explained that lunch was ready, but I needed to get the babies first. This led to a conversation explaining that she would eat, but she would just have to wait a few minutes. No matter how hard I tried to explain to a toddler that she was being taken care of and that she could trust me, there was a need she believed wasn't being filled.

Similar to Job, I'm sure many of us have walked through an unforeseen circumstance—the death of a loved one, financial hardship, a wayward family member, etc. As we walk through the brokenness of the world, it can be easy to think, as Job did, that "I am innocent, and God is denying me justice." I have been there, amid suffering, and I can forget the heart of Our Father. In 2021, I walked through one of my hardest seasons of depression, broken relationships with friends and family members, and the loss of a loved one. "What did I do to deserve this?" crossed my mind regularly. Someone reminded me of God's heart—He does not afflict from His heart (Lamentations 3:33). We aren't innocent. We live in a fallen world and have sinned against God. We deserve only death, yet in His kindness He gave His Son to bear the punishment of our sin so that we could experience life with Him. 

Like the hungry child, we can forget that the Almighty knows each situation uniquely. He knows what we need and when we need it, and our God is never late. I don't know what you're walking through right now, but we have something that Job didn't. He didn't get Job 1. He didn't get to read that God is sovereign over His situation. In the midst of suffering, God has something better in store.

This month's memory verse

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. In times of suffering, how do you respond to God? How do you view His heart for you? Do you turn your eyes toward the cross, or do you focus on your circumstances? 

2. How can you meditate on the heart of God daily? What are some key verses you can memorize or have memorized to help you in seasons of suffering?

3. Reflecting on past seasons of suffering, how have you seen the hand of God in your life?

Respond to Today's Passage

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MS

Michael Scaman

and Elihu continues in chapter 34 in the spirit of his long speech the epic Ballad of Elihu continues the topic is God's justice "... God has no need to investigate man further..." "... He shatters the mighty without investigation..." Jon 34:23-26 Job said "let God weigh me in honest scales' and this sort of thing is the kind of attitude of Job Elihu focus on. Honest scales??? God's scales aren't honest??? Title: The Ballad of Elihu continues about Justice as if by Bob Dylan (Verse 1) In the land of Uz, where shadows loomed, Job cried out, his spirit consumed. But Elihu, with wisdom's steady gaze, Spoke of justice, in the Almighty's ways. (Transition) For in the silence of the night, where doubts do creep, God's justice prevails, in His watchful keep. (Verse 2) "Job, oh Job," Elihu began to say, "Does your righteousness profit, in dismay? For God is just, beyond our sight, In His wisdom, He judges with might. (verse 3) As Elihu spoke, with conviction and grace, He addressed Job's claims, face to face. For Job had asserted his innocence loud, Yet Elihu challenged, amid the crowd. (Transition) So ponder, oh Job, the mysteries profound, In God's justice, true faith is found. (verse 4) And as the night surrenders to the dawn's first light, In God's presence, our fears take flight. For His ways are beyond our understanding, In the whirlwind's dance, His justice commanding. (Verse 5) Yet in the midst of trials, a truth does gleam, Delighting in God, the ultimate theme. For Job, take heed, in your darkest hour, Find joy in Him, and His mighty power. (Transition) For Elihu spoke of justice divine, In the tapestry of life, every design. God's righteousness shines, like the noonday sun, To the righteous, victory is won. (Verse 6) As he speaks, a whirlwind forms, God's presence felt in the raging storms. Not El, Elohim, or Eloah, But Yahweh, the name that silences awe. (Outro) God will continue with the mysteries of creation, Asking, "Were you there?" provoking humble contemplation. and so continues the very long Ballad of Elihu
MS

Michael Sisson

Re: Job 34:7 Job 34:7 (NASB) “What man is like Job, Who drinks up >>>derision like water,<<< Ironic, because "living water" bubbles forth from those who declare the Despised Messiah (Jesus Christ), and they will rejoice at suffering in the name of the "Despised One." (Cf. Isa 49:7, Acts 5:41)
GJ

greg jones

Good morning Krista. I love your bio and devo. ‘Similar to Job, I'm sure many of us have walked through an unforeseen circumstance—the death of a loved one, financial hardship, a wayward family member, etc. As we walk through the brokenness of the world, it can be easy to think, as Job did, that "I am innocent, and God is denying me justice."’ I hear what you say after that in your devotional and it moves me. What a powerful testimony. I think the book of Job is trying to tell us something different than what we think Job is thinking, maybe. Here’s what I mean. This is the study note for Job 34:26-28. Elihu suggests that Job has been struck for all to see because he has turned aside from following the Lord’s ways by mistreating the poor and afflicted. So it would be like saying “what Krista went through before she could never go through again because now she has a deep passion for reading His Word and caring for His people. And if she goes through it again we will all know that she doesn’t have a deep passion for reading His Word and caring for His people anymore. Because that’s what happened to Job”. But that’s not what happened to Job. That’s what Job was falsely accused of. But it’s done with some much more eloquent God talk. I think that’s one of the things the book of Job wants to point out. Our elaborate God thoughts and talk misapplied can leave a mark on a victim just as mistreating the poor leaves a mark on the poor. Thank you for sharing your story.