Breathingbook

Greetings! In this post I’ll be turning to what seems to be a common question concerning Job: i.e., if Job’s so pure, upright, commended by God (Job 1:8; 2:3), and the greatest of all the men in the east (Job 1:1-3), then why did God allow Job to suffer?

To begin with that, first I need to do a short recap on the last post (Who is Job: Edom and Uz?) to set things up for this one.

In that post I covered the initial question proposed in the first sentence of the Book of Job: “If Job lived in ‘Uz,’ then where was Uz, and, aside from the information already given in the Book, who was Job?”

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (KJV)

If you’ve read Who is Job: Edom and Uz? then you know we’ve fully covered the scriptures showing how “Uz” (of the land of “Uz”) was a great, great grandson of Seir the Horite (Gen 36:20,21,28).

It was while Jacob was working for Laban (for Leah and Rachel), that Esau (son of Isaac) married into Seir the Horite’s family (Gen 32:3; 36:2,5,20-21; see Generation chart). Eventually, Esau and his descendants took control of most of Seir territory and it became known as Edomite Territory. Since Uz was a great, great grandson of Seir, and the place where Job was living was still being called the land of Uz, most likely the name had simply not yet been changed.

It’s through the Septuagint (LXX) version of the Old Testament (OT) that we find out Job lived on the borders of Idumea (which means Edom) and Arabia (i.e., the Arabian Desert; LXX Job 42:17b). So, because of this description and the raids which were made on Job’s property by the Sabeans and Chaldeans (Job 1:15, 17), we know Job lived on the southern end of Edom and close to either the “King’s Highway” or the “Desert Route” where the territories of Edom and Arabia met (see Territories Map). These routes being so close to where Job lived it would have made the getaways with such large quantities of livestock more possible in Edomite territory.

Job 42:17a-17b (LXX) And Job died, an old man and full of days: and it is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up. 17b This man is described in the Syriac book as living in the land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia: and …

his name before was Jobab. (BRENTON)

By the way, the Septuagint (LXX) tells us Job lived in “Ausis” (or “Ausitis” [NETS version]), but given the size of the Book of Job (which is forty-two chapters long), the comparative similarities of the Masoretic Text and LXX leave us no doubt; “Uz” is “Ausis” (or “Ausitis”).

So we’ve learned Job was:

• formerly known as “Jobab” (Gen 36:33; LXX Job 42:17b),
• a great, great grandson of Esau, the son of Isaac (Gen 25:24-26; LXX Job 42:17c),
• his father was Zerah, son of Reuel, who was a son of Esau (Gen 36:4; 13, 33; LXX Job 42:17c),
• he was Abraham’s (Abraam’s) great, great, great, grandson (Gen 21:5; LXX Job 42:17c), and
• he had been the second king of Edom (Gen 36:33; LXX Job 42:17d).

We also learned Eliphaz the Temanite, who went to visit Job in his affliction, was his grandfather Reuel’s, half-brother (Gen 36:4,11; Job 2:11; LXX Job 42:17e; see Generation chart).

Now, all this is important, because it lays out the scriptures verifying who Job was and where Uz was located. For this post, the real imperative is not so much that Job was a descendant of Esau, but that he was of the seed of Abraham (LXX Job 42:17b-17c). You see, Job is an extraordinary man – not only is he described as the greatest of all the men of the east and formerly a king (Job 1:1-3; LXX Job 42:17b,17d), but he also receives rare commendation and visitation from the Lord God, which is a very rare thing (Job 1:8; 2:3; 42:5-6).

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (KJV)

Of course, many did see Jesus Christ face to face during His ministry on Earth, but in the OT face to face visitation rarely happened at all (Gen 32:30; Job 42:5-6; Exo 33:11).

Understand, there’s been a lot of speculation about Job. Some have claimed he’s a fable, some say the book is a wisdom prose Solomon made up, and some have even suggested that because of the lack of information available about Job, that he somehow predated Abraham. Why this is so, is a curious thing, because the information is in the Septuagint (which Jesus and the Apostles quoted from and the entire Greek speaking church relied upon). Granted there have been issues with translations, but I believe the New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS), by Oxford University Press (2007), puts an end to that. Now, any other translation of the LXX can be validated by comparing it with the work done there. In this post, I’m using the BRENTON text instead of NETS because of copyright issues, but for the verses I’m using, the two are very similar.

I say all this because knowing Job is real and not a fable, nor is he some haphazard man from some unknown time or place, is important. He did not predate Abraham, nor is the Book of Job a form of prose that someone made up. He is, in fact, a real man and descendant of Abraham. In fact, the Book of Job is a forty-two chapter testament that the righteous do “undergo suffering” at times “according to the will of God.” This is sound biblical teaching. In fact, you should beware of anyone who tries to tell you that if someone is not happy or healthy all the time, they must have done something wrong or have fallen out of favor in relationship with God. Please understand that teaching goes against the multitude of examples we have of the righteous suffering in the Bible, and causes undue harm to those who are trying their best to endure.

Indeed, Job’s three friends also believed this about Job, and, with all due respect, so did Job about others until his own trial changed his mind (Job 16:4). In fact, all throughout the Book of Job, over and over he defends himself against the accusations of his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who say he must have done something wicked or he wouldn’t be in this position (Job 2:11; 8:1-6).

Which brings us back to the question that if Job’s so pure, upright, commended by God, the greatest of all the men in the east, and fifth from the line of Abraham, why did God allow him to suffer like that?

Job 10:2-3,7-8 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore Thou contendest with me. 3 Is it good unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress, that Thou shouldest despise the work of Thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? 10:7 Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of Thine hand. 8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet Thou dost destroy me. (KJV)

Indeed, one could ask the same question of Joseph, son of Jacob, who was also of the seed of Abraham. For when Joseph was sent out to inquire of his brother’s well-being, they threw him into a pit. Not long thereafter, he was sold and taken away to Egypt (Gen 37:2-28).

His life had drastically changed for the worse. Yet, we know what happened to Joseph in the end: he saved all of Israel, Egypt and many others.

Joseph endured all that he endured for a specific appointed time: his destiny.

And yet, as Joseph sat in that pit, would he not have cried out to God to help him? Would he not have thought, surely this will soon end? When he was sold, bound and being taken away to Egypt, would he not have pleaded with God, again and again, to deliver him and send him home? And, how many years would he not continue to pray? Rather, would he have ever given up? But trial after trial, and set back after set back continued to come Joseph’s way as he learned to worship and fear his God, who continually held his fate in His hands.

Joseph was sold into slavery as a boy of seventeen. He did not stand before Pharaoh until he was thirty years old (Gen 37:2-8,14; 41:46-47). He was in “captivity” for thirteen years. And, why did all that happen?

Because it was fore-ordained for an “appointed time.”

Heb 5:8-9 Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; 9 And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. (KJV)

Joseph was predestined for a purpose and prepared by God from before the womb (Psa 22:9-10; Isa 44:24; Isa 46:3-4; 49:1; Jer 1:5). That which was appointed for Joseph could only happen when it came to fruition at the appointed time.

Joseph had to wait (Isa 64:4).

Job 14:14-15 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands. (KJV)

The Book of Esther tells us a similar story about how that after Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Jerusalem, many Jews went to Persia to live (Est 2:5-8; Jer 24:1-5). While there, there came a time when Ahasuerus, king of Persia, decided to take a new queen for himself. A young girl named Esther, being cared for by her uncle’s son, Mordecai, is taken from her home, placed in king Ahasuerus’ court, and after a long selection process, becomes the new queen to the Persian king.

Then, when a man named Haman devised a way to kill all of the Jews in the land, it was Esther who was in “position” to approach the king to petition for her life and the life of her people. The result being that all the Jews in the land were saved.

There is a famous line in the book, suggesting that God had specifically placed Esther into the kingdom to save the Jews (Est 4:14).

Est 4:14b …who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (KJV)

And when Jerusalem fell, when her parents had both died, and when Mordecai took her with him to Persia, would not Esther have cried out to God asking why all these things were being allowed to happen to her? Why had things so drastically changed in her life? When she was taken away from her home with Mordecai to be “presented” to a Persian king (who worshipped a false god) and made his queen, would she not have continued to cry out to God?

What Esther did not know was that she was predestined for such things by God while she was being formed in her mother’s womb (Isa 44:24; 46:3-4). It was also God who made sure all things would be in their place, “for such a time as this” (Est 4:14).

It was her “appointed time.”

I could speak of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, the entire eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews, continue with Peter, James, John, and Paul. In fact, nearly all of the Apostles suffered martyrdom. From that time to this day, many martyrs continue to be imprisoned, beaten and killed (Acts 7:57-60; 12:2; 2 Cor 11:23-30). Would not all of these have cried out to God asking, What is going on? Why are You allowing this?

Job 23:13-17 But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does. 14 For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such things are with Him. 15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence; When I consider this, I am afraid of Him. 16 For God made my heart weak, And the Almighty terrifies me; 17 Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness, And He did not hide deep darkness from my face. (NKJV®)

Indeed, we each have an appointed time to endure before the Lord (Gen 18:14; Exo 9:5; Dan 8:19; 11:35; Rom 8:29-30). It could be a trial, a difficult pregnancy, a tough situation, an illness, the death of a loved one, etc. – all these things can happen – or it could be persecution for believing in Christ. For some it comes midstream, some at the end of life, and others it seemingly can last from beginning to end, but for Job’s trial, though it was heavy, it lasted throughout the Book of Job.

Job had to wait and endure.

Job 7:1-3 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling? 2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: 3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. (KJV)

Now, Jesus, as a youth, when He read Isa 53, He understood He was reading about His own murder. He knew what the Father was asking Him to do and what would be accomplished by it. He knew the appointed time would come. He also knew He would suffer in that day, that Father would allow it, and yet, He chose to walk forward willingly into it and through it (Phil 2:5-8; Heb 2:17-18).

Although He knew what was coming, on the night before the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was still afraid (Heb 5:7-9). He was so full of sorrow that He sweat out great drops of blood (Mat 26:38-46; Lk 22:41-44). Soon thereafter, He was arrested and taken to an unjust Jewish court, then to a gentile procurator, then beaten, scourged, paraded naked down a crowded street, and publicly crucified (Mat 27:27-50).

You see, Jesus’ appointed time began the day He was born and culminated that last day on the cross. As God, He became man to walk among us, to show us His example, and to save us by dying for us.

Likewise, many say the Two Witnesses will be saints returning from heaven, but is that not rather uncreative for our God who can fashion and form anything anew? For those Two Witnesses (Rev 11:3) will also be able to read in advance how their appointed time will one day come where they will be clothed in sackcloth for 1260 days, then the beast will kill them, they will expire in the street and people will celebrate their deaths like it was Christmas (Rev 11:7-12).

Dan 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (KJV)

Is this not the call of every believer in Jesus Christ who has ever read the Book of Revelations? It is by far understandable to want to avoid tribulation, but insane to not be prepared to endure it. Though many believe the rapture will take place to protect God’s church from having to “endure such suffering,” if one considers the trials of Job, Joseph, Esther, Daniel, the Apostles and martyrs, surely one can realize God may very well ask “some” to endure “for such a time as that.”

So, why would there be a need for “some” believers to suffer? Well, the book of Hebrews tells us through suffering Jesus learned obedience, and, the book of Job tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We’ll be covering more reasons why as we progress in the Job Study to come, but for now, let it suffice to say, suffering for the cause of Christ takes place to “advance the Kingdom of God.”

It is for backdoor and covert operations which the enemy, if he had any idea of what was really going on, would refuse to participate.

1 Cor 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)

And, so what was the purpose of Job’s appointed time? There are many reasons, but for now: 1) Job got to see the Lord face to face and learn a few things along the way, and 2) it has given us a glimpse into the interactions taking place between God and Satan, and 3) it has provided believers everywhere with the Book of Job itself, giving us an understanding of suffering to help us in times of great need.

For the purposes of believers everywhere – whether we be granted the understanding of the reasons for our appointed time within our lifetime or not – as we continue to live our lives in pursuit of God, we shall know with certainty, He shall carry it out, and if need be, forward.

In closing, do not think that we are made to suffer against our will, dear church. Rather, it is more like the case of Isaiah the prophet, wherein the Lord looks out among those who love Him and says, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Brethren, be at peace for He is our peace (Heb 13:20-21; Rev 12:11). Whatever may happen, God will walk us through it.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James

“NKJV marked scripture is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”