Job 2:1-10, A Letter to Edna (2)

Read Job 2:3

"to destroy him without cause."  This is an intriguing statement.  We almost always think in terms of suffering always having a cause.  But here there is no cause -- the only purpose has to do with some unseen conflict between God & Satan -- a conflict which will show God's power, sovereignty and glory.

I think it is always proper, when we face a suffering situation, to ask first if God is trying to tell me something.  Do I need to change?  Is there sin in my life?  1 Corinthians 11:27-32 indicates this.  We must judge ourselves.  BUT this must not become an obsession.  IF God makes our sin clear to us, we must repent, accept his forgiveness and then move on with Christ. If he DOES NOT make this clear we must not engage in deep and long-term introspection.  This is Job's situation.  God did not reveal some sin to him because sin was not the "cause."  And yet Job's friends thought the way we often think: suffering is always caused by sin.

And further, about "cause," there are 2 perspectives.  From the human perspective, Job's children died because a tornado struck the house, and he lost his possessions because of the wicked Sabeans and Chaldeans.  BUT we must admit to a different and critical perspective.  Truly God was involved in all of this.  Job did not know how or why. God is involved in your suffering.  You likely do not know how or why -- except to say that it's part of Satan's attack and God’s glory.

Edith Schaeffer said it something like this: every trial is like a battle in a war.  It is the Christian's opportunity to "take a piece of territory," so to speak, for the Lord.  This is your opportunity.

The disciples in John 9:1-3 made the same mistake Job's friends made -- assuming that suffering is related to the afflicted person's sin.  Jesus' answer fits every trial.  Suffering happens that the works of God might be revealed.  Cindy shared this with me from Oswald Chambers: God puts His saints where they will glorify Him, and we are no judges at all of where that is.

Read Job 2:9

"... curse God and die."  For Job this would be the easy way out.  1:22 shows Job's integrity -- "he did not sin or charge God with wrong."  Both Job and his wife realized that God was involved in this.  In light of this cosmic conflict, the easy way out is to cave to Satan -- then it's over.  But of course...

  1.  This dishonors God which Job will not do.

  2.  This results in a sad eternity.  Read Hebrews 11:35-38 about those who would not give up the struggle that they might obtain a better resurrection (v35).  Of these the world was not worthy (v38).

You may be struggling with all that has happened -- don't give up the struggle by, so to speak, "cursing God and dying." Wait on the Lord and His comfort will come.