We have come to a junction in our study on why God allows suffering and evil. The world sees the biblical reference to “John 3:16” on a placard held up in a crowd, expounded upon in print, television, and radio. They hear the “God so loved the world” message, but they see the constant bombardment of bad news all around the world on television and in their own backyard evidences of suffering and evil: pain, misery, heartache, injustice, corruption, and greed.
In the mind of the world, “If God exists and he is supposed to be the creator and controller of all things, what kind of God would allow bad things to happen to others, to us?” We as believers declare “God is good”; the world of unbelievers surmise “God is bad.” This series is not to convince unbelievers that God is good as much as it is for believers; that even in the toughest of times, Romans 8:28 is still in operation. God is still on the throne and in control even when our world is turned upside down, reduced to chaos and turmoil.
I have entitled this lesson Why or W.H.Y. The former is simply an adverb, for example, why did this happen to me? The latter is an acronym which stands for We Have You! Before the end of this brief series you probably will figure out what this menacing acronym means.
Hopefully, it will serve as a mental hook when the word why surfaces when suffering and evil enter our lives and reminds us there is another way to navigate through the storm to reach shelter, leaving our faith intact, rather than being overcome by the storm and wind up shipwrecked or sunk. For further discussion on why God allows suffering and evil see LifeWorks (Winter 2010, pp. 55-64). Paul Little offers some insightful truths.
This question of why God allows suffering and evil has been addressed by some of the most gifted theological minds throughout history. The answer to this difficulty is spiritual in nature which explains why the world rejects the answer. The unbeliever has neither spiritual discernment nor capacity to understand or accept the spiritual realities behind the physical manifestations of suffering and evil (2 Cor 4:4, Rom 8:9; cf. Jn 14:17; 16:13; 1 Cor 2:10-14; Eph 1:13, 17-18; 1 Jn 2:27; 4:6).
The mind of the unbeliever is blinded to spiritual truth. Our job as followers of Christ is to herald the message anyway (cf. Jn 15:26-27, bear witness): faithfully, truthfully, and without hypocrisy, allowing the Holy Spirit to use our witness to convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (Jn 16:8).
Only the Holy Spirit can break through the blindness of the mind, but He works through our testimony of words and walk to accomplish this. The world is not going to buy into the belief that God is love when the world is saturated with suffering and evil anymore than they are going to be convinced that the preaching of the cross is rational, relevant, and real (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14).
It requires our obedience to the command to be a witness to a hopeless and helpless world by partnering up with the Holy Spirit by dispersing the only message of hope everywhere we go while the Holy Spirit breaks through the barriers that bind people to unbelief. Some plant, some water, but it is God that gives the increase (cf. 1 Cor 3:6). Everyone that has ever come to Christ has been through a team effort.
It requires our obedience to the command to be a witness to a hopeless and helpless world by partnering up with the Holy Spirit by dispersing the only message of hope everywhere we go while the Holy Spirit breaks through the barriers that bind people to unbelief. Some plant, some water, but it is God that gives the increase (cf. 1 Cor 3:6). Everyone that has ever come to Christ has been through a team effort.
But there is another dilemma that exacerbates this effort – struggling with suffering and evil as a believer in Jesus Christ. The weight of some circumstance has led believers to question the love and goodness of God. After reading recently Don Piper’s 90 Minutes in Heaven, I don’t want to come across as theologically clinical and detached or self-righteous. I intend to approach this subject honestly, compassionately, and biblically.
I have never suffered physically to the extent of a Don Piper or Job. Therefore, I feel woefully inadequate and with a slight embarrassment to speak on this subject never having my faith tested to such an extent. All I can do is share with you my findings that may help to prepare, which is a key verb, for the storms of life for Job declared that man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards (Job 5:7). For those of you on the "back side" of life need to consider that your greatest challenge in life may still be ahead of you! So this series is for you, too! We never arrive no matter our age.
Let’s face it; bad things happen to good people; it happens all the time. There can be no denying it. It has happened to all of us who have been around for a while. We either come out of the storm bitter or the better for it. Since the fall of man in the Garden, suffering and evil have been with us. I guess it boils down to a choice on how we look at suffering and evil in the world, as a pessimist or an optimist. We can conclude, “Surely suffering and evil shall follow me all the days of my life,” or “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” like King David (Psa 23:6a).
The former represents a tomb-view and the latter a throne-view. Either we see Christ on the throne or still in the tomb. Dramatic as this may sound, these are the only ways God is treated in the daily routine of life by those claiming to be believers. We are living as if He is alive and ruling in our lives, or we are living, like practical atheists, as if Christ is dead until something is needed or goes terribly wrong; we are just too busy for God. It’s the difference between a spiritual Christian (throne living) and a carnal Christian (tomb living).
The former represents a tomb-view and the latter a throne-view. Either we see Christ on the throne or still in the tomb. Dramatic as this may sound, these are the only ways God is treated in the daily routine of life by those claiming to be believers. We are living as if He is alive and ruling in our lives, or we are living, like practical atheists, as if Christ is dead until something is needed or goes terribly wrong; we are just too busy for God. It’s the difference between a spiritual Christian (throne living) and a carnal Christian (tomb living).
Any believer who is aware of the life of David knows full well that his life was anything but trouble-free though David did not physically suffer as in the case of Job. It is easy to see why believers wonder where goodness is and mercy in the midst of pain and suffering. But when we question the goodness of God in suffering, not only are were failing to be a solid witness for God, we won't be a witness. We end up confirming to others that "God is bad" or "He's cruel or unfair." If our spirituality is reduced to that low opinion of God, it is as far away as the moon in comparison to Job's attitude - Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15). Personally, I prefer to be dead than having to live with a mangled body, but it is not my choice. Our only choice is the attitude toward the choice of God for our lives. To get to that point in Job 13:15 will not happen overnight or in the midst of crisis.
In my humble estimation, Job probably suffered more than any man that has ever lived or ever will live except for Christ in His humanity. By investigating his circumstances and reactions to it we will find some insight in helping us to cope with suffering and evil in the world. I will warn you now that some of the truths coming out of this are not easily digestible, spiritually speaking. In fact we may end up generating more questions than answers.
I believe that the word “why” is normally associated with suffering in a negative manner. We all recognize it for we have all have suffered in one way or another, some far worse than others! Don Piper described the single word why as “the consummate human query” in his book, 90 Minutes in Heaven (Grand Rapids: Revell, 2004), p.204. It’s in our nature to ask why though we may never know the answer to that question this side of eternity as Don Piper concluded after his ordeal – “I don’t know why.” Further down the page he did say this, "I still don't why such things happen. I do know God is with me in the darkest moments of life" (Ibid, p. 204).
There is a good side and a dark side to why. The why question we are talking about here, however, goes beyond the curious to the critical attitude, challenging the very goodness of God. Why did God allow this to happen? Is a good and legitimate question until it takes a turn for the worst. Why did God allow this to happen to me? This is the launching point when we take it personal and begin questioning the goodness of God. And naturally, there are spin offs from this kind of why, such as, “I don’t deserve this!” or “This is unfair!” Such questions reveal a darker reflection in the why of things which can unravel into self-pity, depression, despair, and even thoughts of self-destruction. It’s a misunderstanding of the love, goodness, wisdom, greatness, and sovereignty of God. You can’t help sense it in the tone whenever you hear the why word in the context of suffering among believers.
I must confess to taking the dark side of why as well. We can be stocked up on Bible verses in our mind, intellectually speaking, and trying to do the right thing for God, and all of a sudden, we get blinded sided by some bad news or become the object of bad news. It was not that I was outraged with veins popping out on my neck and forehead; but my spirit was confronting God in the sense of charging Him with wrong doing, challenging His goodness! “How could You allow this to happen to me It isn’t fair! I’m trying to live for You and everything is going in reverse! Look at the So and So’s; they live a carefree life and they don’t even love you. They laugh and play and are getting more out of life than me! And brother and sister So and So isn’t any more spiritual than me, and they got money, possessions, good health, travel all over, and this is happening to me? What’s the point of it all? Where is the blessing everybody talks about? My life seems like one curse after another! I go one step forward and two steps backwards! I can’t win for losing.” I've learned that we never outgrow the potential of charging God foolishly in time of trouble.
Does this sound familiar? Been there done that? Primed and ready to do it again when hitting stormy weather? Isn't it easier to trust God and praise Him when everything is going like we think it should?
Now I realize many of the faith have been hammered with economic reversals, deaths in the family, life-changing injuries or illnesses, and so on. But there is one truth we must never lose sight of – God never vacates His rule over the affairs of man. Because He is omnipotent, all-powerful, nothing, absolutely nothing, enters our lives without His approval or orchestration. It takes a God of all-ability for Romans 8:28 to be worth its weight in salt!
So where is this omnipotent God when we are out there on the ragged edge of survival, battered, beaten, and bruised? Let’s turn to the book of Job chapter one. Though Genesis is the first book in our English Bible, Job is considered to be the oldest. Our English Bible is arranged thematically rather than chronologically. When things really went south in Job's life, his reaction to losing virtually everything is of inestimable value in our struggles in living for God, particularly in keep on keeping on for God in the wake of a disastrous situation. In these tumultuous times we see the preciousness of God's Word for comfort and hope (cf. Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:11; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21) in coping with a "new normal."
Job was not some ancient back desert hillbilly. His knowledge of God and faith in God are nothing short of amazing. Remember, he had no Bible to turn to for comfort! Job predates Moses. His knowledge of God was probably passed down by his ancestors through oral traditions. He was an incredible man of God that lived in a town called Uz. The location is uncertain but possibly in the land of Edom, southeast of Palestine (Job 1:1; cf. Lam 4:21). He is not some fictitious character. Job is included in the company of Noah and Daniel as righteous according to the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 14:14, 20) and mentioned as an example of perseverance by our Lord’s half-brother in Jas 5:11. He was real alright.
Job was not some ancient back desert hillbilly. His knowledge of God and faith in God are nothing short of amazing. Remember, he had no Bible to turn to for comfort! Job predates Moses. His knowledge of God was probably passed down by his ancestors through oral traditions. He was an incredible man of God that lived in a town called Uz. The location is uncertain but possibly in the land of Edom, southeast of Palestine (Job 1:1; cf. Lam 4:21). He is not some fictitious character. Job is included in the company of Noah and Daniel as righteous according to the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 14:14, 20) and mentioned as an example of perseverance by our Lord’s half-brother in Jas 5:11. He was real alright.
Job’s “friends” were real also. They visited him to mourn and comfort him. After 7 days they broke their silence. Their theological position was based on the idea that all suffering is punishment for sin. After seeing Job suffer they concluded that Job is suffering because he has sin in his life (cf. Jn 9, the man born blind was for God's glory). This is a popular misconception that will be addressed later when Job’s friends take center stage.
Job’s resume (Job1:1-3)
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
(1) Blameless (Heb, tam, H8535, perfect integrity, HCSB) This Hebrew word occurs 13 times in the OT, 7 times in the book of Job translated blameless in the NKJV: Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 8:20; 9:20-22. He was blameless but not flawless, morally strong but possessing a sin nature. "Sin is vertical, blameless is horizontal" (David Guzik quoting Lawson). The related noun (Heb, tummah, H8538) is found only in five places in the OT: Job 2:3, 9; 27:5; 31:6, and Prov 11:3 and in both books it is translated integrity in the NKJV.
(2) Upright (Heb, yasar, H3477) meaning straight, just, right. Job did not deviate from God’s standards; he was devoted and obedient. Prov 3:6, ESV, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight (yasar) your paths.
(3) Feared God (fear, Heb, yare, H3373) encompasses fearful, afraid, awe, and reverence. Job respects and obeys God.
(4) Shunned evil (Heb, sur, H5493) turning away from evil (NASB), resisted, avoided, kept far away from ungodly things. Simply put, evil is not a creation but a choice to disobey God.
Job 1:2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
Job 1:3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
Job was not only a wise and godly man who loved God; he was also a man of great influence and very wealthy to boot. So it is possible to have great wealth and be pleasing to God though not common in the kingdom for many would be destroyed by vast riches; the temptations and snares are too great. Failure to trust in Christ rather than the checkbook is a real and present danger (Psa 118:8; Jer 17:5-7; 1 Jn 5:14). This is why many believers are not wealthy. Call it a lack of faith; I see it as God knows our frame and will not test us more than we are able to bear. Prosperity preaching to the masses is deceptive, misleading, and harmful.
In a nutshell Job had spiritual integrity that could withstand great pressure from without. It is analogous to the hull integrity of nuclear submarines. Subs are able to submerge to great depths withstanding the tremendous atmospheric pressures being exuded on every square inch of its hull. Job’s spiritual integrity withstood the tremendous pressure being exuded upon him; his hull or will to honor and worship God rather than curse Him remained intact. In fact take note of this; spiritual integrity is the key to navigating through the storms of life to reach shelter.
You will see this word and its relative surfacing five times in the fast paced narrative of chapters 1-2. Since God will not test us more than we are able to bear; Job’s spiritual integrity was made up of a rare and exotic metal; so rare that Yahweh Himself said of Job that there is none like him on the earth (Job 1:8). I would go so far as to say that Job’s metal, the caliber of his character, was as an Enoch or an Elijah who were translated into heaven. When his metal was tested, it withstood unfathomable pressure. It was only possible through spiritual integrity.
His “uniqueness” doesn’t disqualify him of being an example of how we handle suffering. For the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans,
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning (instruction), that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Rom 15:4).
Christ was the God-Man, and yet, we are to be Christ-like. So Christ’s uniqueness doesn’t disqualify Him for being the template for godliness (cf. 2 Pet 3:18). The spiritual integrity we see in Job and Christ in this matter of suffering is worth emulating. But it doesn’t happen overnight for us. We cannot wait until the storm hits to desire spiritual integrity. This kind of thinking winds up shipwrecked or sunk. Our metal becomes stronger through Christ as we seek spiritual integrity day in day out. This is why Job 1:1 is the key to understanding how to navigate through the storms of life in order to reach shelter. We are to be holy as God is holy in every area of our lives.
It is spiritual preparation for the inevitable. Rightly did someone observe; we are swirling in the middle of a storm, coming out of a storm, or heading into a storm. Make no mistake about it; our metal will be tested, time and again. And with each testing, we either come away bitter or the better for it. Next Sunday we will take a look at the 7 attacks on Job. <><
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