Discussion Questions For The Book Of Job

The Book of Job The Book of Job illustrates a question that has been asked countless times: “Why do innocent people suffer?” Job was a man of great wealth, and blessed with a huge family of seven sons and three daughters. Job was not only an affluent family man, he was also defined as being “blameless and upright and feared God and shunned evil.” Despite Job’s righteousness, he encountered great loss and tragedy. Although a direct answer is not provided for why innocent people are allowed to suffer, the Book of Job delivers enlightened insight into why innocent people experience calamity. While seemingly valid explanations are offered by Job’s three friends for his suffering, none of which truly clarify the incentive behind the affliction
God permitted the Adversary to take away Job’s financial security, as well as all of his children. Even then, Job was unwavering to his loyalty to God. Job placed no blame towards God for all of the loss he had endured. The Adversary challenged God once again saying that once a man’s own life is in danger that the man will give anything to keep his own life. God once again permits the Adversary to test Job, and Job is afflicted with painful boils that cover his whole body. Job’s three friends come to his aid, and they all grieved together for days. Once Job speaks he says that he wishes he hadn’t been born, and that he feels as if God has forsaken him. Job’s friends try to convince him that his suffering was in debt to not acknowledging sin in his life. Job continues to cry out to God in effort to understand the justification of his suffering. When God answers, he doesn’t provide a clear answer to Job’s suffering. God also doesn’t mention that he had allowed the Adversary to test him. God replies that his wisdom is above the understanding of Job and his friends. God says that if Job and his and friends could not understand his wisdom and mighty power, that there was no way that they could understand the reason behind human