Suffering

I started reading Job this morning. If I had my way, I would limit my reading of this Book to the first two chapters and the end part (chapters 38-42). Dear Job looks really good in chapter 1 and 2. The first satanic attack caused Job great financial loss, including the death of all his children in just one day. That is like stepping on a hidden bomb. One expects the victim to be tornd dead.

But Job comes out of that attack unscathed. He does not turn against God, and neither does he turn against those who hurt him. He comes out humbly praising God. His words have been immortalise in songs and preachings, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21 (KJV)

My reading however includes the third chapter. It’s a heartbreaking chapter. It’s like being so broken listening to my son cough all night. Every cough makes me squirm and pray for mercy.

Job, the faithful, unmovable man of God transforms into a suicidal, self-loathing and soon God-blaming person.

What caused the changed?

Protracted suffering.

Satan, with God’s permission, inflcts Job with severe boil problem. Job 3:7 states, “Satan… smote JOb with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” He had the worst type of skin problem, itchy, painful, and unthinkable suffering. The boils were so bad, his closest friends could not recognise him anymore. They were so overwhelmed by Job’s condition that they were speechless for 7 days.

Protracted pain and suffering could break the strongest. Job confirms it.

The gospel however equips followers of Christ to face suffering. First, the gospel provides an answer to the question raised in the Book. Why do the righteous suffer gets answered? Second, the gospel provides to us a way to see suffering as beneficial to faith. It moves us to God, it encourages us to trust in his goodness and wisdom. Finally, the gospel points us to the ultimate righteous sufferer, the Lord Jesus. He would suffer not because of his sin, but for others, for other sufferers.

Because of him, we have someone to look up to when we go through the horrifying experience of suffering. He is with us.