Job 34-35
In Job 33-34, we learn that we may never understand the “why.” These chapters invite us to trust God rather than constantly seek answers, and to offer compassion when others are hurting.
Summary
Elihu continues to speak to Job about how powerful God is, and that Job’s suffering may not necessarily be a result of sin. Job needs to speak to God and listen, because God speaks to people in different ways. Instead of constantly defending yourself, trust that there could be an angel by your side advocating for you. Elihu continues to say that suffering isn’t always a result of wrongdoing – some people who do sin don’t always suffer the way you would think. There is not always an explanation for why some people suffer more than others.
Elihu points out again that Job is too adamantly defending himself and questioning God. All people need to understand that God created us all and He could destroy us all…that is how powerful He is. God doesn’t treat anyone better than others. The Lord sees what we are all doing. Elihu tells Job that he does not understand God’s capacity, and that maybe his misunderstanding is a sin in and of itself.
Sidebar
Why?
We hear it all the time – trust in God’s plan. Some of us just want to understand the WHY of something. Why did my car break down on my way to an important job interview? Why does the woman who takes care of everyone suffer pain and illnesses?
Sometimes we can guess why something happens. Your car may have broken down because you just weren’t meant to get that job. Perhaps a better job is on the horizon. But other times, it’s harder to decipher the meaning behind an unfortunate event. When we are suffering, we want so desperately to understand why.
This passage from Job states that we may not understand why. We just need to trust in God. The only thing we really need to understand is that He knows what he is doing.
Possible Theories
Professor Bryan Darrell of the SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary theorizes that there are 5 reasons why we may suffer:
(1) Human suffering illustrates the power of God. In this particular passage of Job, Elihu adamantly reminds Job and his friends of how powerful God is, and how we shouldn’t even question Him.
(2) Suffering tests true faith. We shouldn’t be good for the sake of karma. Job is under the impression that he should not suffer at all because he had never sinned. In present day, people tend to get upset with God when hard times hit them, not understanding why they are suffering when they are good people.
(3) Reminds us that we need God. With free will, we make our own decisions. Sometimes when life is going well, we can get arrogant and forget that we need God. We may stop communicating with God. However, in times of need, we tend to speak to God more.
(4) Provides an opportunity for others to step up and help those who are suffering. Job’s friends think they have stepped up to help him in his time of suffering, but they did not. When we see someone we care about going through it, we can lend a nonjudgemental ear. We can help in other ways where needed (e.g., make them dinner, babysit their kids, etc.). Helping others gives us an opportunity to better grow.
(5) Refines our character. When we go through something monumental in our lives, we tend to become more understanding and empathetic to others going through rough times. According to C. S. Lewis, “[I]t is because God loves us that he gives us the gift of suffering…The blows of his chisel, which hurt us so much are what make us perfect.”
Intention
When you are going through a hard time, try not to question the WHY? Trust in God to have a plan and choose humility. If someone you know or care about is suffering, see if there is anything you can do to help.
