Job is the oldest book in the Bible and deals with the oldest question concerning life.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Lessons from the Book of Job

Job, though blameless and upright, was wrong and needed to repent for questioning God’s behaviour.

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6

Martha accused Jesus of being unaware and uncaring.

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40

Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jn. 11:21

Job’s friends were wrong for being so sure of their own opinions.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Is. 55:8-10

We only know in part.

…whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part…  1 Cor. 13:8-9

Partial truth is inadequate; it will not explain everything.

Jesus is the truth; the Bible is the truth about the truth; my understanding of the Bible is the truth about the truth about the truth.

God never explains to Job why.

Does God operate the universe according to the principle of retribution?
Answer: Yes, but not by that principle alone.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” Jn. 9:1-3

Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; with the remainder of wrath you shall gird Yourself.  Ps. 76:10

Are bad things that happen really bad for us?

“You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” ~ Joseph
“All things work together for good” ~ Book of Romans

Why did Job experience loss, sickness and suffering?

• to test his faith in God
• to deepen his understanding
• to strengthen his relationship with God
• to increase God’s blessings on his life
• to glorify God

Why do we experience loss, sickness and suffering?

• to satisfy the principle of retribution
• to test our faith in God
• to deepen our understanding
• to strengthen our relationship with God
• to increase God’s blessings on our lives
• to glorify God

Conclusion:
When you don’t understand… just trust God.

“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. When we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”
~ Charles Spurgeon

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Prov. 3:5