Is there a Purpose to Suffering?

Introduction:

Have you ever watched court cases on TV or been in court to see the proceedings? The complainant voices his/her accusation about how the defendant stole money or didn’t fulfill their contract. Then it is up to the defendant to prove that they did not do what they have been accused of. The judge then looks at the evidence and testimony and gives a ruling of guilty or not guilty.

For this morning, these two chairs will represent a mock court trial. On your left will be the complainant and on your right will be the defence. Our intent this morning is to give a picture of what was going on with Job. In our last message, the complainant was the three friends who assaulted Job with accusations that his sin had brought on judgement so therefore repent. Job was the defendant and held to his integrity that he was innocent so therefore no need to repent.

But now the scene changes and Job is accusing God who actually is the Judge in this trial. And Elihu is the one acting as the defence lawyer on behalf of God. Let us see how this narrative unfolds from chapters 29-37.

Point #1 - The Complainant Job.

For Job, his affliction was clearly not as a result of sin because he was blameless and righteous before God. But over the course of painful months, the suffering and constant pain was causing Job to now sin against God. Let us see how this was happening starting in 29.

But what has occurred over the past months of these great trials is that even though the suffering was not because of sin, the ongoing affliction and suffering was causing Job to now sin against God. Let us see how this was happening starting in 29.

In this chapter, Job is remembering the good times when God was his friend, when he watched over him and was like a lamp to his path. When the blessings poured out from the hand of the Almighty with children running around, prosperity flowed like oil from a rock. Young and old paid attention when he came to the front gates to sit, where they hushed their voices to hear what he had to say. When the poor, the widow and the orphan were delivered by his hand in caring for them. How he broke the fangs of the unrighteous in executing justice for the weak. “Oh how I shall die in peace, my days shall be long and filled with glory. I remember the days when men listened to my wisdom like those opening their mouths for rain when parched of thirst. I lived like a king back then in the midst of my troops, like one who comforts mourners.”

But now in chapter 30, “even the rifraf, the scum of the earth vagrants who have been driven out of the community because of their evil now make me the theme of their party songs. They spit when they see me, I am a stench to them because God has humbled and afflicted me. The impenetrable walls have come crashing down and they come and terrorize me.” Job lays claims that when people cried out to him he helped them, weeped and grieved with them but when he himself cried out for good, just evil comes. When wanting light, just darkness comes.

Yet does not someone in trouble cry out for help? Did not I weep with those who weep and grieve for the needy? Like look what I have done for our community! But when I cry out for good, just evil comes. When I want light, just darkness comes. I am greatly afflicted, so sick that my skin turns black and falls from me, all I have is bones that burn with constant ache, there is no joy in me anymore.

In chapter 31, he points out that his eyes have been pure and not lusting after women. If he was a liar and a deceiver, he wants to be weighed in the balance of justice. “If I didn’t help my servants, their complaint would reach the ears of God, how could I not treat another created in the image of God with care? If the poor, the widow or orphan lacked anything and I turned a blind eye what would become of me? I would be guilty of a great offence and would deserve judgement. I could never do such a thing because I was in terror of calamity from God, I could not have faced his majesty.”

"If gold was where my confidence was or that I had bowed in worship to the sun or moon like pagans this iniquity deserved punishment before God. If I had celebrated at someone’s misfortune who hated me I would be found innocent of this. If the traveller was weary and had no food I would always open my door to him. If I hid my sins like others do, cherishing them in my heart I would be guilty, but I have not done such a thing.”

(35) “Oh, that I had one to hear me! I will sign my name to this complaint. Let the Almighty answer me! If only God would hear my case, reveal his indictment against me that I would know why I am suffering. There is nothing, my integrity is spotless, I have complete confidence and I would strut right up to my Judge and gladly give an account of my righteousness.”

What do you think is Job’s sin here? (self righteousness). His complaint against God is that he does not hear his cries, that he is uncaring and unjust. Yet this is the same man who had been doing so good under the most difficult of circumstances. What does this tell us? Suffering and affliction bring to the surface things that we never thought were in the well. Like gold that is refined to remove impurities, it comes under extreme heat. This is what trials and hardships do for us. It exposes some things that need to be dealt with for the glory of God.

Point #2 - Elihu’s Defence of God.

We are now introduced to Elihu. He is not mentioned in any other part of the book. Yet here as we will see was there from the beginning of the dialogues between Job and the three friends. In the first verse of chapter 32, this last venting of Job’s has silenced the friends. Why? Because he was righteous in his own eyes. Elihu, is now fully enraged by Job’s self justification over God. He is also furious with the three friends for failing to properly answer Job’s complaints with wisdom. Since they are older, he expected more from them. Being younger, he bit his tongue and waited in hopeful anticipation that they would give good counsel to Job. Now knowing that they are sitting here in the dirt, you can imagine them all crossing their arms and saying to themselves, good grief, what a stubborn mule of a man. Job feeling the same way in that these miserable comforters gave no help at all.

This courtroom scene is like the Judge seat is considered vacant and Elihu is now going to speak for God as his representative. Even though he is angry he does speak quite tenderly to Job. (33:1-7) “Hear my words Job, I will teach you what you need to hear. God has made us both from clay, I am not better than you, but your words that you speak better be in order. You have nothing to fear from me my friend, the pressure I apply will not be heavy.”

As we cover the words of Elihu, it may be tempting to think that these words are very harsh, but truth spoken in love often seems painful at the time but the results are sweet as honey to the wise man or woman.

Elihu states in (33:8-12) Job’s complaint in a nutshell to make it clear. “You have spoken and I have listened. You say you are pure and clean before God, there is no sin in you. You accuse God of injustice, of being his enemy, that he tortures you in stocks of the guilty and never gives you a moment of peace from his watchful eye. Sound about right? Well (12) in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.”

The suffering had caused Job to sin under the pressure and now his complaints needed to be corrected and this is Elihu’s responsibility as his friend. Job’s vision was now clouded by the pain and grief, he had lost perspective of reality. Elihu was like a prophet calling Job to repent.

Job has accused God of not hearing the pleas of this suffering servant (13). “Since God is not like us, you say he does not speak to you Job? I will give you two ways, first is that he speaks in dreams of the night. He opens the ears of men in their sleep and warns them of the grave. God guards the souls of his people from sinning but you Job are not listening.”

(19) Elihu says that God also speaks through pain and with continual strife in his bones. In evangelical circles 2019, this seems to be totally out of character for the Christian who views God as love and never afflicts his children. Pain and suffering are viewed as from the devil so you got to rebuke him in Jesus name because my life is to be prosperous and happy. However, God’s word is clear that God speaks loudly through the pain to correct sinful behaviour or to prepare us for the future which we know not. This was the case for Paul and his thorn in the flesh. God did not remove the pain so that he would remain humble and trust in God in his weakness. God does speak through pain but Job was not listening. God is merciful and will deliver him from his affliction and restore him from being near death’s door if he repents.

I am reminded of our dear brother Harry who told me numerous times that it was only because of the cancer that literally devastated his body, that he repented of his pride. God’s ways are not our ways, yet it is clear from Paul that he sovereignly works out all things according to his purpose for those who love God for our “good”.

Next Elihu deals with Job’s complaint that God is unjust. In (34:2-4) he says that just as the tongue tastes the food to see if it is good, let our ears test the words to see if they are good and right. Job’s claim is that he is in the right (5) and God has taken that right away. He is not fair for my wound is incurable and I am not guilty of anything! (9) lays out a very troubling and dangerous statement of Job’s. “It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.” This is dangerous because this is exactly what Satan told God. Man only delights in you for treasure. Elihu is here to warn Job that he is in great danger by this sinful behaviour.

(12) “Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.” Elihu speaks boldly in defence of God’s sovereignty over all of life in (13-15) that if he withdrew his spirit and breath from the earth, everyone would perish and become dust. Shall one who hates justice govern? Is God unjust when he shows no favouritism whether rich or poor? Does God not oversee every step a man takes? Is there any place that the wicked can hide from the omnipresence of God? He judges them perfectly, he destroys them for their wickedness because they refused his graciousness. His justice is perfect because nothing escapes or is hidden from him. He is not bought off like a false witness, he cannot be bribed because he owns the universe. Man is fickle and unjust, but not God. Your pain and suffering have clouded your judgement Job. You are making foolish false accusations about God exalting yourself above God.

In chapters 36,37 Elihu proclaims the greatness of God as a reminder to Job and the friends who they really are in comparison with the Almighty. Elihu begs for the ear of Job and the friends a little longer.

God is mighty in strength of understanding, he does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, he sets kings on the throne forever. If they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, he will declare to them their sin, he opens their ears to instruction and command that they repent (10). If they listen and turn from sin they will prosper, but if they harden their hearts they will be judged and perish by the sword.

15  He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. Notice that to deliver means to save. God saves the afflicted by their affliction. He opens the ear by adversity. (PAUSE) Is this how we think regarding pain and suffering? Do we believe this? How can pain open our ears?

I am reminded of our dear brother Harry who told me numerous times that it was only because of the destruction of his body, that God helped him see his pride. He repented and asked God to forgive him for this. God’s ways are not our ways, yet it is clear from what Paul says in Romans 8:28 that for those who love God, he sovereignly works out all things for our good according to his purpose. The biggest problem we face is our indwelling sin nature that cannot believe that suffering does any good. Let this cause us to think carefully about what is really going on. Let us not stick fingers in our ears and blame God or others for our trials. Rather let us pause, pray and ask God to help us submit to his will, to search our hearts and reveal any self righteousness in our own hearts.

In (20-23) Elihu warns Job to not search for death to avoid the suffering. Rather be careful that you do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction. Who can teach like God? Accept it from his hand. Don’t sin by calling God wrong or unjust.

Elihu now describes the awesome power and sovereignty of God in how he draws up the water to make rain, how the lightning flashes so brilliantly and then the thunder roars so loudly you can feel it right in your chest. Keep listening Job to God’s majestic voice that through the storm he drives man and beast to find shelter.

Dwell on the incredible power of the clouds that twirl about by his guidance (37:12,13) to accomplish all that he commands them whether for correction, or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. Yes snow storms in May or September are guided and ordained by the living God for his good purposes. Who brings drought in the summer or timely rains when things are getting very dry? Who blows in a killing frost in August when a crop looks so good? It is ordained by the hand of God whether for correction, for his land or for love. Are we listening to God? (PAUSE)

Elihu brings forward his closing arguments in (38:20-24). “Can you Job demand of God to be heard? Like do you have a death wish? No one looks at the sun and can see clearly after just a few brief moments. And you think that you can lay eyes upon the majesty and glory of God in his golden splendour. “Who do you think you are Job?” The Almighty - we cannot find him; He is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.” Here he summarizes what he said in (33:12):

12  “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

for God is greater than man

.Therefore be wise, trust in God for he does not despise those who humbly come before him in reverence. But conceit, haughty pride has welled up within you.

The defence rests. What will Job do? What will the Judge of the universe do with Job? If you have been looking ahead you know exactly what happens. But this we will leave for next week God willing.

Elihu acted as an intercessor. One who called Job to repent of his self righteous indignation. We as Christians have a better Advocate in Jesus Christ. The Accuser is Satan who spews out all your sins that you have done. Lying, cheating and pride. But praise God we have the perfect Advocate who speaks on our behalf and replies yes, but look what I have done. I took those sins they are guilty of and I paid the punishment on their behalf. Their debt is paid in full. They are washed in my blood, clothed in my robe of righteousness. Your accusations fall on deaf ears because the Father redeemed all who turn from sin and trust in me as their Saviour. You say guilty and I say forgiven!

If your hope for judgement day is that your good works will justify you before the all seeing eye of God you are wrong! God is perfect in justice. One lie, one lustful look means you have committed treason and deserve eternal wrath in hell. Without Jesus, you are in fact guilty and there is no Advocate for you. Who will save you when the books are opened of your life? Only Jesus can save you from an unquenchable fire. God is merciful and kind. He says turn from sinful living, trust in Jesus and be forgiven. I plead with you to look upon the loving face of Christ and believe in him. Enjoying eternal life with God.

Quickly some application:

Age does not determine wisdom. What matters is that you speak truth in love.

Listen closely. The three friends were not listening and therefore unhelpful. Pay close attention, ask lots of question. Be patient, think about grief and pain and be not too hasty to jump on someone who is clearly sinning.

Age does not determine wisdom. What matters is that you speak truth in love.

Gospel motivation. Remind the one you are correcting that the reason there needs to be repentance is because we love Jesus.

Walk with them. Grieve with them, pray with them, love them, be available to come to help them in the midst of their pain.

Conclusion:

If you recall from when I started this study in Job, this book is best looked at as helping us prepare for suffering than trying to wrestle through it in the midst of suffering.

and opens their ear by adversity.

Is there a purpose to suffering, pain, affliction and adversity in our lives? Yes there is. What it is for each one of us is different. In our storms and battles let us remember Jesus and what he has done for us. If we are refusing to listen to God, let us humble ourselves, open our ears and ask for forgiveness. Let us praise the Almighty for his loving kindness. Let us thank God for his mercy in infinite perfect wisdom. Let us trust God who always works out all things for our good and for his glory. Let us stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Amen

If you recall from when I started this study in Job, this book is best looked at as helping us prepare for suffering than trying to wrestle through it in the midst of suffering.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.