by Ann Nelson-Russell

Created on: October 06, 2008

Why Did Job Suffer?

Articulating answers to the questions surrounding why people suffer are difficult to express. Christians try to explain why God's children must endure pain and suffering; their explanations vary depending on their knowledge and faith. Non-believers commonly use the substantiated explanation of suffering to strengthen their argument against why they do not believe in God. One particular book in the Bible addresses great suffering and faithfulness in detail. However, many have read the book of Job and arrived at different theories as to why God allowed Job to suffer. By examining the different theories relating to Job's suffering, believers and non-believers may find some points of interest that will provoke deeper thoughts.

Throughout history much is written regarding the suffering of humans. A universal explanation as to why God allows people to suffer is not something that anyone has been able to answer with great conviction. Many scholars have studied the book of Job and the afflictions cast upon him. The theories related to why such a "blameless and upright" man "who feared God" (Job 1:1) vary. Yet, the theories add insight and wisdom to a difficult question as to why Job suffered.

As stated in the text, "Job's innocence is absolutely essential to the book's theological meaning. Commending Job's moral excellence, Yahweh himself regards the man as faultless" (Harris, 2007). God referred to Job as "my servant" which meant that Job was uniquely committed to the Lord (NKJV). Did his commitment to the Lord lead to his suffering? In Job 1:8 the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"

Satan's taunting response to the Lord was that Job is and has been faithful only because he has been blessed. Satan argued that the motives behind Job's faithfulness stemmed from all the blessings that had been bestowed upon him from God. Satan said to the Lord, "But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face" (Job 2:5).

Satan is and always has been subordinate to God. Therefore Satan did not have any power over Job unless the Lord allowed him to. The Lord responded to Satan's accusations and challenge, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person" (Job1:12). Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Arriving at the initial understanding or knowledge of

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