Job And The Question Of SufferingSample

# A problem with the Lord Job wants to know why his suffering happens. However, his friends are unable to say that Job's suffering is because of his sinfulness, of which he needs to repent. "If you return to the Almighty you will be built up," (Job 22:23) his friend Eliphaz says. How many times have you heard this kind of advice? Come to repentance and God will straighten everything out again. Store the words of God in your heart and God will be merciful to you! If you read too quickly you’ll think this is okay, that you can give your friend such advice. The book of Job doesn’t work like that. These conversations in the book of Job go on chapter after chapter. "How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood," (Job 21:34) he sighs in frustration while he has to scratch himself with shards because his whole body hurts so much. And meanwhile Job gets even more grim in his words about God, while his friends continue to talk their pious talk. "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter..." (Job 27: 2) "Because God has loosed my cord and humbled me" (Job 30:11) "What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high?" (Job 31: 2) In other words, God is unfair! Job has a great problem with the Lord God Almighty. It is like oil on the fire of Job's friends, who become even more enraged. How does Job dare to put himself in a position like this, like he is without any error? How dare he have such a big mouth to the Almighty. They are furious, dismayed. How dare this miserable man. You feel the red cheeks of rage, dismay, and anger in the discussion. Today, you’re still in the chaos of all conversations. But soon ... there will be a dramatic turn in the whole story.