Job 42:2-6 - Suffering Can Teach Us Things We Can Learn No Other Way.
Job 42:2-6 (NLT) 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. You said, Listen and I will speak! I have
some questions for you, and you must answer
them. I had only heard about you before, but now I
have seen you with my own eyes. I take back
everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show
my repentance.
INTRODUCTION
Throughout the book, Job's friends had asked
him to admit his sin and ask for forgiveness,
and eventually Job did indeed repent.
Ironically, Job's repentance was not the kind called for
by his friends. He asked for forgiveness, not
for committing secret sins, but for questioning
God's sovereignty and justice. Job repented of his
attitude and acknowledged God's great power and
perfect justice. We sin when we angrily ask, "If God
is in control, how could he let this happen?"
Because we are locked into time, unable to see
beyond today, we cannot know the reasons for
everything that happens. Thus, we must often choose
between doubt and trust. Will you trust God with
your unanswered questions? [Life Application SB]
Are you using what you can't understand as
an excuse for your lack of trust? Admit to God
that you don't even have enough faith to trust
him. True faith begins in such humility. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Some people may try to trip up your faith
by asking tricky questions. When they hear that
God is omnipotent, or all-powerful, they ask,
"Well, could God create a rock so big that he
couldn't lift it? If God can do anything, certainly
he could do that, right?"
Although God is all-powerful, there are
several things he can't do. For instance, he can't
cease to exist. God has been around from the
beginning of time and will live forever. God also
can't change his nature. The Bible tells us Jesus
is the same yesterday, today, and forever
(Hebrews 13:8). You can trust that God will never
change his rules. He's consistent and solid. He'll
always love you and always be there for you.
But what about the rock? As an
all-powerful being, God could create an impossibly big
rock. Then, because he can do anything requiring
power, he'd lift the stone. The rock couldn't be
infinite, because only God is infinite - so it's
logically impossible for God to create a rock he
couldn't lift.
Huh? Sometimes questions can be
confusing. Here's something that's not. If anybody asks
you the rock question, respond with one of your
own: "What kind of God would you want to follow -
one that's in the rock-lifting business or one
that's in the stone-rolling business?" God rolled
away the stone in front of Jesus Christ's grave
when he rose from the dead. Jesus defeated death,
which shows a lot more power than lifting rocks.
At times you may be asked some tough
questions about your faith, such as Why does a good
God allow bad things to happen? There are no
easy answers to life's difficult questions. As
humans, we won't always understand why something
happens. But we can always trust that God has a
purpose. And all of his purposes are good.
More than fifty times in the Bible, God
is called almighty. That means he's all mighty.
Nothing is more powerful than him. In Job 42:2 Job
says to God, "I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Do bad
things happen in the world? Are there terrible
accidents and natural disasters? Yes. But God's
purposes can be accomplished in the good times and
bad. Job experienced that firsthand. He suffered
unthinkable losses, yet he never doubted God's power. We
can follow Job's example by always trusting in
God's power and goodness. There's no limit on
God's power, and that rocks! [Case For Christ For
Kids by Les Strobel]
COMMENTARY
The most important lesson of the book of
Job is found in this text. In this statement Job
reveals the transition from a religious experience
shaped by tradition to an experience based on
personal communion with God. According to the
tradition in which he had been reared, the righteous
were not supposed to suffer. From his youth up
Job had heard that God would deliver the
righteous from all evil in this present life. But when
he met suffering he was thrown into confusion,
because it was contrary to what he had heard about
God. His confusion was augmented by the attitude
of his friends. Now Job has seen God. He knows
that God possesses infinite power and
graciousness, and he also knows that, even though he may
suffer, he is Gods child. God has made no attempt
to explain to him why he suffers, but he is
convinced that, whatever the reason, he need have no
misgivings.
Jobs experience has taught him the
meaning of faith. His vision of God has enabled him
to surrender to the divine will. His commitment
to God is now unaffected by his circumstances.
He no longer expects temporal blessings as an
evidence of Heavens favor. His relationship to God
is now on a firmer, more dependable basis than
before. Job finds a solution to his problems when he
discovers that God is not limited by the traditions
men have developed concerning Him. This broader
understanding that Job reveals when he says, Now mine
eye seeth thee, is akin to the experience of
faith that is emphasized so strongly throughout
the Scriptures, especially in the Gospel of John
and the epistles to the Romans and the Galatians
(John 1:12"17; Rom. 8:1"8; Gal. 4:3"7). [SDA
Bible Commentary]
In his time, Job was the most righteous
person on earth. He was so godly that the Lord took
pleasure in pointing him out to Satan (Job 1:8). Yet,
despite his love for God and his diligent obedience
to His commands, even Job had not fully come to
know God. The blessings God had given to Job had
not revealed everything about Gods character.
There were characteristics that Job would come to
realize only through adversity. So the Lord allowed
Satan to test Job through suffering.
Although Job lost everything he had, even
his seven children, Job discovered that God was
still with him. Though he faced the most difficult
and bewildering tribulations imaginable, Job
came to understand that God was infinitely wiser
than he (Job 42:1"4). As Job endured the
insensitivity of his friends, he learned that God is the
only One who is absolutely trustworthy. Job
learned much about God through his anguish. Finally,
he confessed that at first he had only heard
about God, but now, through his suffering, he had
come to see God (Job 42:5).
When you are in the midst of your trials,
your Lord will reveal His character to you in
ways you never knew. You will experience His
strong and comforting presence. Like Job, you will
learn that your Lord will remain, even when
everyone else abandons you. You will see God more
clearly as He takes you through the dark times. Then
you will experience God in ways you had
previously only heard about from others. [Experiencing
God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby]
Harsh but Realistic
While speaking the truth Job left the
defense of his own character in the Lord's hands. He
was firm and deliberate, but he remained in
control. I repeat, I understand what it's like to be
unjustly maligned. I have been accused of things, and
that rumor has kept me awake. It has made my
stomach churn. It has taken away my appetite. I have
determined not to pay any attention to it, yet found
that I was unable to turn it off in my mind. Not
until I decided to leave things in the Lord's
hands and rest in His sovereign control did I find
inner peace. Without exception (please hear
this!), not until I deliberately stepped back and
leaned hard on my God did my mind begin to relax,
my emotions settle down, and my inner peace
return. I say again, the truth will win out. And God
will be glorified.
Refuse to let the accusations discourage
and derail you, remembering they are nonsense
and lies. Get tough! Returning to that one-liner
from the Revolutionary War, "Trust in God but
keep your powder dry," is essential to keeping
your balance. You may be trusting the Lord for
safety, but you still lock your doors every night,
hopefully, and turn on your alarm. When you get in your
car, you lock your doors, don't you? You roll up
your windows, don't you? If you don't, you are
playing with fire. Trusting God is not naive
presumption. Wisdom must be applied to a life of faith.
Going through hard times requires a get-tough
mind-set. Go there. That may seem harsh, but it's
realistic. And realism is a powerful message.
To you who are going through a time of
false accusation, may God strengthen you in it.
May He hold you close through it. May He give
you wisdom and grace in responding to it. May He
become real and personal to you, even giving you
songs in the night and quiet rest with the
assurance that He is defending your integrity. And may
He toughen your hide so you don't cave in while
awaiting vindication. [Chuck Swindoll
www.insight.org.]
CLOSING PEARL
What to Do When It Makes No Sense
Instead of always asking God why
when you dont understand, start trusting him.
For 37 chapters in his book, Job asks:
Why is this happening to me? Why are you
allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much
discomfort? Why havent you answered my prayers?
But in chapter 38, Job stops asking
why. And God says, Now Id like to ask you a
few questions.
For the next two chapters, God bombards
Job with questions that only God could answer.
He asks things like, Where were you when I
made the universe? Can you explain the law of
gravity?
After two chapters, Job realizes that he
is just a man and his knowledge is limited. Who
is he to question God?
Job stops questioning - and starts
trusting. He replies 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 ... I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my
repentance (Job 42:2-3, 6 NLT).
What do you do in a situation where you
cant see the whole picture, things arent
clear, and life doesnt make sense?
Remind yourself of the things you know
about God. Even while doubting, Job affirmed what
he knew to be true about God: God is loving
(Job 10:12), God is all-powerful (Job 36:22), God
is in control (Job 34:13), God had a plan for
his life (Job 23:14), God would protect him (Job
5:11).
I dont know what youre going
through right now, but I will tell you this: God is
passionately and intimately aware of every detail. Hes
paying attention to your every breath. Nothing
misses Gods attention.
You may not understand what youre
going through, but you can still say this to God:
I know youre good. I know youre loving.
I know youre powerful. I know you notice
the details of my life. I know youre in
control. I know you have a plan. I know you will
protect me.
Then set aside your why questions
and trust God - no matter what. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am taking care of you. Feel the warmth
and security of being enveloped in My loving
Presence. Every detail of your life is under My
control. Moreover, everything fits into a pattern for
good, to those who love Me and are called
according to My design and purpose.
Because the world is in an abnormal,
fallen condition, people tend to think that chance
governs the universe. Events may seem to occur
randomly, with little or no meaning. People who view
the world this way have overlooked one basic
fact: the limitations of human understanding. What
you know of the world you inhabit is only the
tip of the iceberg. Submerged beneath the
surface of the visible world are mysteries too vast
for you to comprehend. If you could only see how
close I am to you and how constantly I work on
your behalf, you would never again doubt that I
am wonderfully caring for you. This is why you
must live by faith, not by sight; trusting in My
mysterious, majestic Presence. (Rom. 8:28; Job 42:1-3;
1Pe. 5:7; 2Co. 5:7) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Two Of the Best Bible Studies on This Topic:
Did God Create the Devil?
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4979/t/did-god-create-the-devil-
The Rebellious Prince
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/storacle/e/5329/t/the-rebellious-prince
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
