By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read Job 42:1-17

Rev. Ron Purkey

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:” (Job 19:25-26)

If you think your sufferings are beyond what anybody else has experienced, consider Job’s trials. He was shot at like an enemy (Job 6:4; 16:12–13), hunted like a wild animal (Job 10:16), covered by darkness (Job 19:8), uprooted like a tree (Job 19:10) and put into a furnace (Job 23:10). His wife discouraged him, his three “friends” attacked him and the Lord seemed to abandon him.

Job was a sinner. Job had said some rash things during this discussion, but unlike his friends, he had spoken the truth about God (Job 42:7). Job had a new understanding of God’s power and purpose (Job 42:2) and he realized he had to repent. Job’s sufferings gave him a new vision of himself and of the glory and greatness of God (Hebrews 12:11).

Job was a servant. Four times in Job 42: 7–8, God called Job “my servant.” Although he had weaknesses and failures, Job served God during his time of suffering. By maintaining his faith in God in spite of trials, Job unknowingly silenced the devil and revealed to the world God is worthy of our trust and worship, no matter how much he allows us to suffer. In the will of God, trials work for us, not against us (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18); therefore, we can work for God as we suffer. Suffering can be a ministry.

Job was an intercessor. The friends had said some unkind things to Job and some terrible things about Job, yet he forgave them and prayed for them. The friends had to do what they admonished Job to do: confess their sins and repent. Do you pray for people who have wronged you (Matthew 5:43–48)? Do you pray for condemnation or restoration?

Job was a receiver. Job had wanted to go to court and argue law, but instead he went to the altar and experienced grace. He received forgiveness, friends, family, wealth and honor, twice as much as he had before. God does not guarantee this kind of happy ending in this life to everybody who goes through trials (Hebrews 11:36–40), but he does promise to reward all who are true to him (Revelation 2:10). Job came out of the furnace a better person (Job 23:10), and so can you if you will trust God and let him have his way.

God is not obligated to make the righteous healthy and rich or the wicked sick and poor, but Job was blessed by God. Job’s suffering was replaced with earthly glory, but today’s Christian believer’s suffering will be transformed into heavenly glory. Therefore, our sufferings are not in vain, for the Lord is working out all of his glorious purposes.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines at www.rcpbibleoutlines.com free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.