When Saints Suffer

Job 42

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And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

Job 42:7-9

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So, if you have not read the book of Job, you will not truly understand what I am talking about here. But don't stop reading! I will summarize 41 chapters very briefly. So, here goes.

Job was REALLY rich. He was also a very Godly man. Satan told God that the only reason Job served God was because God was so good to Job So, God let Satan test his theory. In a single day, Job lost all of his wealth, servants, and his children were killed. Then, Job was cursed with boils all over his body. The pain was excruciating.

His wife told him to curse God and die. Three friends came to visit him but instead of comforting him, the berated him about some "hidden sin" in his life. They said that was the only reason God would let this happen. Job defended himself, but he also got a little self-righteous in the process. Then God spoke.

God didn't tell Job why all this happened. He didn't answer anything. He simply asked a bunch of questions that essentially amounted to"Who are you to question the God of the Universe?" It was a really humbling experience for Job.

At the end of all that, we come to our text today. God is now dealing with Job's friends. Their encounter with God is not going to be pleasant either. There are a few things I want us to see from this.

First, God didn't have a lot to say to them. These 3 "wise men" only God two verses from God. On the other hand, Job got four chapters from God. On the surface, this might appear that God had more to correct with Job, but I don't think that is it at all. I think it is actually the opposite. The fact that God spoke to Job for four chapters reveals their more personal relationship. While reestablishing his position in Job's heart as the Sovereign God of the universe, he also spoke to him life a father. It was correction, but correction in love.

Job's three friends on the other hand, he said, "My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath". God said, "I'm angry with you. You did not speak truth about me like Job did." That is all he said. It was very impersonal. I'm not saying they were lost. I'm simply saying that they did not have the same relationship with God so that he would speak as much with them.

Second, we see the need for the sacrifice for sins. While the exact years that Job lived are debated, scholars agree that it was pre-Moses. Therefore, it was pre-Levitical Law. God required a sacrifice, just as he did with Adam and Eve, for the atonement of sin. He also appointed Job as the High Priest. Job had to offer the sacrifices for their sins and pray for them. Job in this moment was a picture of Jesus. (Historical Note: Based on dating of found ancient manuscripts, Job was the first book of the Bible actually penned. The Gospel message has always been a part of God's plan!)

Third, only after God's man had made atonement for their sins were they forgiven. This too is a picture of the work of Jesus on the cross and in heaven. He is both our sacrificial lamb and our High Priest. He gave his own blood for the covering of our sins, then he offered that blood on the alter in Heaven. Now, he prays for us (intercedes) to the father. All of this, just like Job! Also, just like Job, only after Jesus offered the sacrifice for sins, and intercedes to the Father, are we forgiven by the Father. Thankfully, the sacrifice is offered, and before we even know we need a Savior, Jesus is interceding for us. The work is done, we just have to confess and believe.

Most of the time we focus on the tail end of Job being the blessing. However, I think if we could ask Job today, he would say it was all a blessing. His life became a picture of God's Son and his life. He was rejected by his friend. He was called a sinner and heretic. He was a good as dead. He offered a sacrifice for sins. He acted as the High Priest between them and God. His work brought forgiveness. He may not have understood it then, but I believe he understands it better and more clearly today than even we do. That is true for our lives as well. We don't understand all that God is doing, but we need to trust Him. Trust that he is the sovereign God of the universe and he has a plan to reveal his son through our lives.

God, even when I do not understand, help me to trust you. Father, when I feel beat down, help me to identify that with Christ. When you allow me the privilege to pray for those who wrong me, may I take that opportunity as Job did. Let my life be a picture of the redemptive work of your Son!