Job's friends not only believe THAT God ultimately ordained this pain in Job's life (which is true), but also believe they know WHY God ordained this pain in Job's life (which is false). They operate on an airtight rule that the wicked suffer and the righteous are rewarded. Since Job is suffering, he must be hiding wickedness. . . . Job's friends compliment themselves by criticizing Job. ("We are not suffering, therefore we are righteous.")
First Cycle of Dispute: Job's Friends vs. Job
January 26, 2020 • Steve Bateman
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May 10, 2020 • Steve Bateman
The book of Job concludes with a perfect resolution that is unrealistic in most circumstances. Real life simply does not work like this for most people who trust in the Lord. Yet in God's sovereign plan, Job's extraordinary experience of prosperity and adversity, becomes a template for our own lives in an unexpected way.
To Understand Suffering, Study Science
April 26, 2020 • Steve Bateman
Throughout his suffering Job grows bolder in demanding an explanation from God, even suggesting that God has been unjust. Thus far, God has been silent, allowing everyone to enter their opinions into the public written record for all time. But now, God speaks and surprisingly answers Job’s questions with questions of his own that invite Job to study science.