Small God, big problems

It is easy for us to read the Old Testament story of Job and critique him on certain points. But let's keep in mind that Job never read the Book of Job. He didn't know that things would turn out well in the end. He didn't know about the conversations that had taken place between God and Satan up in heaven. He didn't know why all this was happening.

All Job knew was that one day everything was going beautifully, and the next day, the bottom dropped out of his life with no real explanation that he could see. Yet he persevered in his faith and integrity. Even with his life collapsing around him, Job was a model of how to handle tragedy and adversity.

The Bible says, "We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy" (James 5:11 NLT). Things did turn out well for Job, but Job could not see that in the middle of his tragedy.

Job had suffered the worst loss imaginable. And by the time three of his friends showed up, he was covered in boils and scarcely recognizable. Now, whether or not these three were actually his friends is debatable, given the counsel they gave to their buddy. For seven days, however, they sat on the ground with him, because his suffering was too great for words. It was when this trio started talking that the problems began. These so-called friends offered the same lame explanations people offer today for suffering.

Eliphaz was the first to speak. He said to Job, "Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same" (Job 4:7–8 NLT). In essence he was saying, "Job, it is called sowing and reaping, and you are reaping what you sowed. Clearly you have done something wrong, and that is why this has come upon you."

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There is a law of sowing and reaping, and it is valid. But in this particular instance, Job was not reaping the repercussions of godless living. There are times people do indeed reap the results of wrong choices. There also are many times when people reap the positive results of good choices. Life often makes sense in that regard. But there also are times when it doesn't make sense at all. This was one of those situations in which God, for his own purposes, allowed this to happen.

Enter Bildad. He took a similar tack as Eliphaz, but thought this was probably a result of Job's sin: "But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked" (Job 8:20 NLT). Effectively he was saying, "Obviously you are not in private what you are in public. You are not a man of integrity, or this would not have happened." The irony of Bildad's statement is that Job was really a man of integrity – so much so that God was bragging about him in heaven.

Finally there was Zophar, who coldheartedly suggested to Job that this happened to him because of his obvious sinfulness. He went on to say that Job deserved worse: "Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!" (Job 11:6).

If these three guys were alive today, they would not be working as copywriters for greeting-card companies. Imagine if Eliphaz were to write a get-well card. The cover would say, "Sorry you are sick," and inside it would read, "But you got what you deserved."

Bildad's card would say, "Hope you get well soon. ... but if you were really as godly as you claim, this would not have happened."

Zophar's card would be brutal. The outside would read, "I hope you get worse," while inside it would say, "You will die, and no one will ever remember you."

These guys offered no comfort at all. So as Job grappled with his tragedy, he went before God (as any person should in times of suffering) and asked the question, "Why?"

There is nothing wrong with asking that question. I have asked it many times. But I would add there is nothing wrong with asking it as long as you realize that God does not owe you an answer. Even Jesus, as he hung on the cross, asked, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46 NKJV).

We don't always know why. And there is nothing wrong with even saying, "I don't like this plan. I don't even agree with this plan."

Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, said, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me" (Matthew 26:39 NLT). In other words, Father, this is hard. ... Father, I don't really want to do this. ... Father, if there is another way, I would rather we find that way.

But then he added, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." And that is what it comes down to. Go to God with your whys. Go to God with your doubts. Go to God with your struggles. But ultimately, you need to say to him, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

My response to many of the tragedies of life is simply exercising the ability to say, "I don't know." There was a time when I felt I knew more than I know today. But now I am not afraid to say, "I don't know." At the same time, I know the One who does. I don't know, but I will know someday – maybe on Earth, or maybe not until I get to heaven. But I will know eventually.

God never told Job why. He just revealed more of himself to him. And I think what we really need in life, more than an explanation, is an encounter with God – a revelation of God. Because when we see God for who he is, we see our problems for what they are. Small God – big problems. Big God – small problems.