Why did God allow Job to suffer?

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’” Job 1:8

Suffering is one of the hardest topics for Christians to understand and accept, and typically there are no “easy” answers. This is only magnified when the one who is suffering seems to be a “good” person, or has done “nothing to deserve it.” When this happens it leaves us wondering and asking God why this happened. Job is no different. In Job 1:1b he is described as “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil,” and verse five further illustrates his devotion to the Lord. Despite this close walk with the Lord, chapters one and two recount the horrible calamity and suffering that fell his way. In one day, Job lost all his livestock, most of his servants, and all seven of his children (Job 1:13-19). Not long afterwards his body was afflicted with boils (Job 2:2) and his wife turned her back on him saying “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). All this to a man whom God’s Word calls “blameless and upright.” Why? Job 1:8-12 provides us with at least a partial answer. God suggests (and allows Satan) to afflict Job to ‘prove’ to Satan that not all people love and follow God because He blesses and protects them. In fact, Job did just this, he never disowned or turned his back on God. “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” Job1:22. “In all this, Job did not sin in what he said” Job 2:10. Rather “he fell to the ground in worship” Job 1:20b. It’s important to remember that through the remainder of the Book Job struggles through this experience, looking for answers; and never gets any. We know more than Job ever did, and we still do not know why God suggested and allowed Satan to afflict him. That’s important for us to remember today, whether we are the one suffering or someone else is, there are always things happening that we are unaware of. Nevertheless, God’s promise is still true “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” II Corinthians 12:9.

For further study on this hard and important topic of suffering, request a copy of Pastor Eric’s Sermon “Walking though Suffering & Tragedy” preached August 29, 2010 at Amery Free Lutheran Church.