“Misery Hates Misery”

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Job 3:21-25: What is Job trying to tell us about his suffering?

Sincerely,
Jobaphobe

Dear Jobaphobe,

Considering the other two questions we have recently received at the site (see “The Blessings Of Death” and “Job’s Lament”), we must commend some studious AYP reader for their diligent interest in the book of Job.  Nothing makes us happier than to see someone committing themselves to reading and understanding God’s Word.  We are happy to continue to aid you in your study, but we might ask that you include your e-mail address in the future, so that we can respond privately if needed since we sometimes have large sudden influxes of other questions that need posting.

In Job 3:21-25, Job is venting his frustration that God won’t let him die.  Job’s greatest desire is to die and have his suffering ended, and yet, God won’t let Job die.  Job feels hedged in by life (Job 3:23).  His pain is ever before him, and his agony is constant (Job 3:24).  The grave would bring him joy, and he longs for death (Job 3:21-22).  Every day is full of terror, pain, and trouble for Job (Job 3:25).

What Job didn’t understand (and neither do we when we suffer) is that God had a greater plan for him.  Job’s suffering would eventually end, and his blessing would exceed his sorrow (Job 42:12-13).  The Lord works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  When our suffering is deep, we often forget that.

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