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In just a few days, Job lost his sons, daughters, grandchildren, wealth, social prominence, and health.
But he didn’t get mad at God. Instead, Scripture reads…
In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God (Job 1:22, NLT).
Job’s wife was still living, and he had three friends. His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Not very helpful, but his three friends, having heard of Job’s trials, also came to visit him.
Did these friends have more encouraging and godly advice than his wife?
When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights (2:12-13a).
Not bad, friends of Job, but what happens next?
They opened their mouths and began to speak. (Parenthetical Pastor Grant comment here: “Sometimes it’s best to keep quiet!”) And it becomes apparent that all three of them believed Job could only be in such a desperate situation because of sin in his life.
The friends of Job blamed him. Have you ever experienced the friends of Job?
They look at your trials and your shame and ask, “What did you do wrong?” There are variations of this theme—“I knew something like this would happen to you one day,” “What hidden sin is there in your life?” or “You should not have done it this way.”
The trials of Job—the loss of children, his wealth, and a critical wife and friends. Job was all alone, but in spite of this, he says, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15, ESV).
Job was arguably one of the most righteous men in the Old Testament, and yes, he did air his grievances about his situation to God. To which God replied…
“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” (Job 40:2, NLT)
Then God revealed Himself to Job. Wow, God used Job’s pain to reveal His ultimate purposes and take Job into a deeper relationship with Him. After this revelation, what was Job’s response?
Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?” It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me (Job 42:1-3).
When Job finally experienced God’s glory, in spite of his suffering, he confessed that he knew nothing.
I love the Book of Job. In contrast to Job’s three friends, this book reveals an Almighty God who wants to be our friend.
Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life (Job 42:16-17).
Amen!