The Book of Job Responses to Our Suffering

The Book of Job

Responses to Our Suffering -Passive acceptance. -Hurt, anger and bitterness form a wall between the person and God. -Put up a good front, don’t reveal the storm inside.

Responses to Others’ Suffering Eliphaz (chapters 4 -5, 15 & 22) Job’s sufferings are just punishment from God; accuses Job of hidden sin -Blaming the person for their suffering. Bildad (chapters 8, 18 & 25) Job and his children are to blame; defends God -Trying to defend God.

Responses to Others’ Suffering Zophar (chapters 11 & 20) “Repent and everything will get better” -Offering simplistic “truths” and explanations. Elihu (chapters 32 -37) Rebukes Job’s arrogance. -Being offended by the person’s feelings and thoughts.

A Different Response -Job was honest and real with God. -Suffering pushed Job into a deeper encounter with God. -God’s presence alone changed Job’s experience of his suffering.

Suffering Together Pray for all who suffer from physical illness, emotional and psychological problems, estranged and conflicted relationships. . . Pray for all who suffer from injustice-human trafficking, slavery, oppression, abuse. . . Pray for those who suffer from poverty, famine & war. Pray for persecuted Christians around the globe who are suffering for their faith. . .

The Book of Job