I have a hard time understanding the book of Job, mostly because Job rebukes his friends who appear wise to me. In fact, they say (repeatedly) many things I continue to hear in the church today. That Job had sinned and brought this on himself, that he was blaspheming God by maintaining his innocence, and that his refusal to confess his sins before God put him in danger of further judgment.

Taken chapter by chapter, Job doesn’t make sense. Because we want to believe that everything has a reason. Our spouse dies of cancer, and we search for a reason. ‘Why’ is the first question we ask. Did I sin? Did my spouse sin? Did we cause this somehow?

I finally pulled out my study bible and looked up the commentary on the megathemes in Job. This is what I found:

On Suffering:
“Through no fault of his own, Job lost his wealth, children and health. Even his friends were convinced that Job had brought this suffering upon himself. For Job, the greatest trial was not the pain or the loss; it was not being able to understand why God allowed him to suffer.

Suffering can be, but is not always, a penalty for sin. In the same way, prosperity is not always a reward for being good. Those who love God are not exempt from trouble. Although we may not be able to understand fully the pain we experience, it can lead us to rediscover God.”

On Satan’s Attacks:
“Satan attempted to drive a wedge between Job and God by getting Job to believe that God’s governing of the world was not just and good. Satan had to ask God for permission to take Job’s wealth, children and health away. Satan was limited to what God allowed.

We must learn to recognize but not fear Satan’s attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets. Don’t let any experience drive a wedge between you and God. Although you can’t control how Satan may attack, you can always choose how you will respond when it happens.”

On God’s Goodness:
“God is all-wise and all-powerful. His will is perfect, yet he doesn’t always act in ways we understand. Job’s suffering didn’t make sense because everyone believed good people were supposed to prosper. When Job was at the point of despair, God spoke to him, showing him his great power and wisdom.

Although God is present everywhere, at times he may seem far away. This may cause us to feel alone and to doubt his care for us. We should serve God for who he is, not what we feel. He is never insensitive to our suffering. Because God is sufficient, we must hold on to him.”

On Pride:
“Job’s friends were certain that they were correct in their judgement of him. God rebuked them for their pride and arrogance. Human wisdom is always partial and temporary, so undue pride in our own conclusions is sin.

We must be careful not to judge others who are suffering. We may be demonstrating the sin of pride. We must be cautious in maintaining the certainty of our own conclusions about how God treats us. When we congratulate ourselves for being right, we become proud.”

page 784, Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation

There is typically a physical reason for circumstances (improper planning begets financial ruin, smoking begets lung cancer, DNA begets various illnesses). Yet there is also a spiritual reason. When you believe in a God who created the world, you believe in a God who could (and in our pain, we think should) prevent disasters from happening. The physical reasons are easier to understand. The spiritual reasons are something we may (and probably will) never understand while we’re on earth. To assume we have the answers is to be filled with pride (something I’m guilty of on a regular basis).