Job's Suffering... Why?

I found this to be an intriguing question. Comments after the article. I ask a different question than Dr. Graham is answering.

OMD

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What was Job's Answer to the Question of Suffering? By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services

Q: I took a religion class in college last year, and one of our assignments was to read the book of Job in the Old Testament. Can you help me understand it? I read it through three times, and I never did figure out what Job's answer was to the question of suffering. -- K.H.

A: The Bible says that Job was "blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8). God had blessed him with great wealth, and also with a large family.

And yet in spite of his goodness and his devotion to God, God still allowed him to experience almost limitless loss and suffering: His family was destroyed, his wealth was taken from him, and his health was ruined. So terrible was his suffering that at times Job wished he had never been born. In spite of this, however, he never lost his faith and trust in God: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15, KJV).

Why did God allow Job to pass through such suffering? This is the book's central question -- and it's the question we ask when we experience loss and suffering. Job's friends suggested various answers, but in the end, the only answer Job discovers is that God is far greater than we are, and He can be trusted to do what is right -- even if we don't fully understand. Someday we will understand when we enter into God's presence -- but not yet.
But the Bible points us to the One who experienced far more suffering than Job ever did -- and that is Jesus Christ. He was without sin, and yet all our sins were placed on Him, and He took the sin and death and Hell that we deserve. Have you thanked Him for this by giving your life to Him?

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Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: http://www.billygraham.org/.

(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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I'm not putting myself anywhere near the class Billy Graham is in but I would like to comment on a different question.

Why DID God allow satan to torment Job?

It is my sentiment that God allowed Job to suffer for this reason.

Earlier in the story, if you remember, the sons of God [angels] had presented themselves before God and, satan, the accuser of mankind, was with them. I'm looking at Job 1: 6 - 12

6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

7 The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?"
"From roaming through the earth,"Satan answered Him, "and walking around on it."

8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil."

9 Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?

10 Haven't You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread out in the land.

11 But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face."

12 "Very well," the LORD told Satan, "everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job [himself]." So Satan went out from the LORD's presence.

Remember satan's nature is evil. He looks to devour. He looks to whip up trouble and perpetuate evil. He wants to destroy that which God has made. He wants to be equal to God or, even, be God. He rebelled against God, lost, and was thrown from heaven to Earth, he, and 1/3 of the angels that sided with him. So, while satan is 'roaming the earth and walking around' just what do you think he is up to? No good, is the answer. In verse 12 God placed everything Job owned in satan's power. BUT satan had to accuse God first, seen in verse 10 & 11.

Again the question I pose: Why would God allow satan to test Job and cause him to suffer?

My response is: To show satan and the rest of creation that a man, with a fallen nature, would still choose to trust in God and worship him even in the face of much adversity and suffering.

Job was a devout believer and God had richly blessed him in family and material wealth BUT Job also was a sinner as evidenced by his practice of burnt offerings. A man of great integrity, blameless & upright, yes, but still a sinner.

Of course we know that animal sacrifice [burnt offerings] was the custom used for the atonement of sin before Jesus established a new covenant with mankind when He, Jesus, became that atonement for sin.

Satan was allowed to test Job. Satan, as prosecutor, kept arguing his case before God [and maybe even accusing God]. Satan said if God removed His protection from Job, surely Job would curse God or even denounce God. We see that Job did not curse of denounce God even though advised to by his wife and friends. Through great adversity and suffering Job endured, losing EVERYTHING except his life & wife.

Job STILL chose to worship and trust God.

I pray I am never put to the test Job endured. I wonder, when I read Job, if I would have the same integrity and faith as Job exhibited. How about you that are reading this?

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

We are very blessed. There are millions around the world that endure Job like suffering. They persevere and are even martyred yet stay faithful.

"Father, I pray we may be found with the same integrity and faithfulness that Job displayed when we are tested or even tormented by satan" In Jesus name I ask for your strength and wisdom for us all." Amen and Amen

I am a Fellow Christian Sojourner and One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

OMD