JESUS and Suffering (Job)

We need to remember, the Israelites had their scriptures which were written by Moses (inspired - dictated by God).  They knew the history and what God had done for them up to this point, as is evident in Nehemiah 9.  Plus, now they had the songs and words, examples and testimonies of godly people, such as king David, king Solomon, Esther, Job, etc. to encourage and teach what it means to have faith in God.  (Even though they were not perfect people.)

Job, while suffering great loss and dealing with horrendous health issues, made this statement...

(Job 19:25)  "...As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth..."

This demonstrates that even before Jesus came in flesh, God's people knew that the LORD was the Redeemer - the Savior - who would one day manifest Himself on earth for the world to see... Jesus Christ was prophesied.  And in Job's suffering, he continued to look to his Redeemer, knowing that sometimes we suffer - not necessarily because our own consequences - but because we are being tested.  Anytime we suffer, we should know that our behavior and reactions can be used of God to bring glory to Him...  Also an interesting note to keep in mind, theologians say that the book of Job could have been the very first book of the Bible written.  And here we see the LORD speak directly to Job...

(Job 38:1-4a)  Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 “Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?..."

The LORD has some strong words for Job's friends and for Job himself; but Job's story ends with this...

(Job 42:10)  The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.

This should be a great example to us.  Job had been suffering, and his friends only added to his distress (instead of helping), and yet, Job prayed for them.  May we also have the heart and mind of Jesus, just as He preached at the sermon on the mount...

(Matthew 5:43-48)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect..."