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SIN AND SUFFERING
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
Job 6

Psalm 103:1-13

 

“Like as a father pitieth

his children…”

 

SIN AND SUFFERING
 
Job was still in the depths of despair and desperation. He answered Eliphaz, reflecting on his condition and expressing a longing to be relieved from suffering. Being an upright man, he was somewhat convicted by Eliphaz’s harsh words. He asked for understanding because he was overcome by his troubles (Job 6:2-3).
 
Job agreed with his friends that God’s judgment was upon him but he could not understand why. He claimed he had a right to cry out in what appeared to be an unjust situation because even wild animals did this (Job 6:4-5). He pleaded again for God to grant him escape from his suffering through death (Job 6:6-8).
 
Job asked that someone honestly consider the extent of his suffering. Eliphaz had implied that Job was suffering just as all mankind suffered. Job, however, replied that he was not just touched with affliction in a usual way but that he had been completely devastated by an unusual attack and, from the account of the Scriptures, we know this to be true.
 
Job was conscious of the problem of sin and we have seen this from his continual blood sacrifices. This was why he pleaded for someone to point out to him the overlooked sin that was causing his troubles (Job 6:24). If he knew, he would then ask for forgiveness so that his former relationship with God could be restored.
 
God loves us as a gentle father. He knows our weaknesses and has mercy on us (Ps 103:13-14). God does not punish us without our knowing what our unconfessed sin is so that we can come to a place of repentance. However, neither Job nor his friends understood this. At a time when Job desperately needed help and support, his friends failed him. He wanted wise counsel to discover his sin. Then, he would repent and be free from God’s chastisement (Job 6:14-15, 22-24).
 
In all of Job’s confusion, he continued to call on God as his only hope. Since we know the promises and instructions of the Scriptures, how much greater should our confidence be in our Heavenly Father?
 
THOUGHT: What is the purpose of God’s chastisement?

PRAYER: I praise Thee, Father, for Thou art just in all Thy dealings with us.

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