If you are just joining us, you can go back to the beginning of our study by clicking here.
Job’s friends became suspicious of Job. You can’t help but notice in the midst of Job’s suffering, his friends begin to theorize that Job might have some dark, hidden sin problem lurking beneath the surface and out of sight? While they initially “weep with those who weep,” they soon veered off course.
Was it Karma? In the theology of the Ancient Near East (and this malady lingers today) they believed in something like Karma. Simply stated, Karma is the Eastern (or New Age) version of “what goes around comes around.” Even in some Rabbinic literature there’s the idea that God only blesses those who do good and only curses those who do evil.
Each of Job’s ‘friends’ begin to weigh in and level accusations against Job. Just what Job needed! Here he is in the midst of great, great loss—illness, to boot. And his friends pile on. This both hurts and angers Job. Eventually, confused, hurt, and frustrated—Job lashes out at them and, unbelievably, at God.
Commentators theorize, sometimes incorrectly, about what Job is all about. Two takeaways from Job are informed by the New Testament passages. The first is John 9, with the story of the man blind from birth. The disciples’ question reveals the Karma-like ideas of the culture. Jesus answer explains it all—and Job in particular.
John 9:1-7 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
Both the book of Job and this vignette from John’s gospel end happily. But not without initial and incredible hardship. In both cases (as we already discussed with Job) there’s a whole world and agenda going on behind the scenes. After a lifetime of blindness, the blind man’s sight is restored. After a season of incredible suffering Job’s “fortunes” are restored. Neither of their sufferings was wasted. God accomplished something eternal in both cases, bringing us to our next page (verse really) which explains their suffering and outcomes. Romans 15:4 succinctly explains it all. Job and the blind man suffered for the sake of others:
Romans 15:4 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Whatever suffering you and I endure is neither random nor wasted. God is using it on more levels than you can imagine (like Job and the blind man). Just as we watched their stories play out through the pages of Scripture, perhaps, you and I can bear witness to others as they watch us wrestle through hardship as we trust God even when life hurts! Hard as things are, don’t miss an opportunity to glorify God!