A Limited Perspective

The book of Job can be simply outlined as follows:

I.    Introduction To Job’s Suffering—The Historical Setting
II.   Interaction Between Job and His Friends—The Human Perspective
III.  Interruption of God—The Heavenly Perspective
IV.  Epilogue—The Restoration of Job

The Interaction between Job and his friends is the longest section of the book. This is the back-and-forth conversation that takes place between the devastated Job and his so called “comforters.”  As you read these interactions, keep in mind that you are listening to their analysis of life from a human point of view.  Their perspective is not necessarily right, nor is it necessarily wrong; it’s just human.

Eliphaz, the first of Job’s friends to speak, immediately points out to this suffering man that it is much easier to talk about suffering than to go through it. Point well taken. For the most part, that is an accurate perspective on suffering.  Eliphaz acknowledges that Job has in the past been a comfort and an encouragement to so many others who have gone through challenges in life, but now that the shoe is on the other foot, now that suffering has touched him, it is a whole different matter.

How true that is. We should have a theological framework for pain and suffering, and that enables us to compassionately discharge our calling as God’s children to comfort and encourage others who are going through suffering. But how rare it is to find the person who ministers to the pain of others who himself doesn’t become discouraged, who doesn’t question God’s goodness and who doesn’t feel like giving up when immense suffering touches his own life.

Another common human perspective from Job, again, perhaps true, but maybe false, is that it is the sufferer’s sin that has opened the door to the pain and devastation he is now forced to endure. Eliphaz says to Job, “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8)

Of course, sin is at the heart of suffering.  But to assume that it is the result of the sufferer’s sin is to tread on dangerous ground.  It could be true, but it also could be true that suffering has touched him simply because he, like you and I, are living in a world broken by human sin, and as a result, there is sickness, loss and death.

Then yet another human perspective is that our suffering is meaningless and hopeless. Of course, we don’t think that theoretically about suffering. But in practice, in the blast furnace of affliction, we steer into that mindset. Job thought that:  “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?”  (Job 6:11)

So what is the lesson here?  Simply keep in mind that when either we, or the people we love, are suffering, our perspectives on that suffering are human. We see our trials as through a glass darkly. Therefore don’t be quick to assign that misfortune to specific sin or a lack of faith—it is very likely that the suffering is just part and parcel of a world system that is still waiting to be redeemed.

Likewise, in the midst of doubt, discouragement and the temptation to give up on God, don’t! Offer him your trust.

In the midst of doubt, discouragement and the temptation to give up on God, don’t! Offer him your trust. In the end, God’s ways are always wise and loving—always!

Even when you can’t see the end from the beginning, you’ve read stories like Job, and what you know is that in the end, God’s ways are always wise and loving—always.  And that would be true of your suffering, too.

Prayer… Father, you created it all, you own it all and you have the right to rule it all—including my life. Therefore, in good times and in bad, I will honor you, offer my life as living proof of your love and lift my response to life as an offering of praise to your righteous Name. You are a ruthlessly faithful God and I will be your ruthlessly faithful child.