| Author | Message | ||
| Tricia Registered user Username: Tricia Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2006 |
Hi everyone. I've read the forum for a long time, but have never posted--so bear with me. I was reading the book of Job and don't understand why God permitted Job to suffer so, especially killing his three daughters and seven sons. I also didn't get the way it says that God just "replaced" his children, same number, and how pretty the current daughters were. Boy, it just really bothered me--like his other kids were just--whatever. I know surely God does not feel this way. I know we can't begin to understand many things now, but will understand in heaven. I know that God is totally sovereign and I have no place at all in questioning anything about his decisions and have to trust him all the way. Is how Job was permitted to suffer just one of those things I won't understand until I get to heaven? About Job, he just seemed so very close to the Lord and remained totally true throughout all that suffering. I know when satan talked to God about Job that God would not have gone along with satan to prove him wrong because God doesn't have to prove anything to satan, of course. Anyway, I'm probably missing something very obvious that someone can help me with. Does anyone have any thoughts on why Job suffered so? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4684 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome, Tricia! I'm really glad to see you here! I've also thought a lot and wondered about Job. I can't explain it all, but here's how I've come to see that story in general. First, it tells us that we may never know in this life the reason for our sufferingóand that it may well be more of a spiritual battle than we realize. Second, Job had to learn that he, the righteous man, still had to repent before God. The book ends with him stopping his mouth and repneting in sackcloth and ashes before God. He had not committed an identified sin, but he had to be humbled to realize that God was sovereign over him, and he did not deserve or earn "sprcial" treatment. He had to trust God, and he had to repent of his notions that he understood God. Third, the deaths of Job's children has been the part of the story that has bothered me the most, also. I have come to see, however, that God's glory and purposes are the most important "value" in the universeógreater than the saving of nations or the life of a child. The deaths of those children was part of God declaring Himself to Job as the sovereign, worthy God who deserved his complete honor and worship. Further, the deaths of those children did not necessarily mean the end of them. We don't know anything about them, but if they were God-fearing people, their deaths did not end in oblivion. They are even now safe in Jesus, nourished by His love and presence. We can trust God never to do anything that will be bad for usóincluding those seven children. He is completely just and merciful and gracious. We can trust Him! Colleen | ||
| Lars Registered user Username: Lars Post Number: 22 Registered: 7-2005 |
Ah, the wonderful book of Job!!! Job's experiences are not just for his edification and benefit, but primarily for all of his friends and relatives observing what we consider his "plight". Job did not have a complete understanding of God or why he was the recipient of Satanís actions while they were taking place. When I read from Job, I always conclude with chapters 40 through 42 and marvel at his conclusion about God's sovereignty. And note in Job 42:10, Jobís concern for his friends in that he prayed for them and then God restored his fortunes. An interesting aspect of the SDA take on the book of Job is how Mrs. Job is belittled for her reaction to the events recorded and her apparent lack of faith. No compassion for her reaction to the loss of the children she had borne or that she had lost her home and all of her apparent security. I am cautious on how far to take the following, but the excerpt of Jobís life recorded in Scripture is an illustration of the life experience of the believer. As individuals, we experience: the loss of loved ones, the loss of material possessions, the counsel of miserable comforters, questions of Godís sovereignty, and thoughts that we are better than we really are. We, like Job, are being lead by God to acceptance of His sovereignty. As Jobís family and possessions were restored to more that he originally had, we too have much more than we originally had because of what God has done for us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise God!!! Larry | ||
| Cy Registered user Username: Cy Post Number: 54 Registered: 1-2005  |
Beautiful insights, Colleen and Larry! Thanks, Cy | ||
| Tricia Registered user Username: Tricia Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2006 |
Colleen and Larry, Thanks so much for the help on Job. Ya'll were most helpful and totally answered my questions! Tricia |
