The folly of questioning God

Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible—written approximately 2,000 years before Christ by an unknown author. The book attempts to explain why God permits human suffering. Job was a wealthy man living in the land of Uz—probably Edom. Having 10 children and owning large flocks and herds, Job was a righteous man. One day, God boasted to Satan about Job’s goodness, but Satan countered that Job was good because God had protected him. Satan challenged God to remove His “hedge of protection” and that Job would curse Him. God allowed Satan to torment Job, but forbad Satan from taking Job’s life.

Job’s torment began when his livestock and farm workers were taken by marauding invaders. Then his 10 children died when a violent windstorm collapsed their home. After hearing this, Job tore his clothes and shaved his head, but he still blessed God. Subsequently, God allowed Satan one more concession—to touch Job’s body, which became afflicted with painful skin sores. Job’s wife, seeing his predicament, urged Job to curse God and die, but he refused, struggling to accept his circumstances.

Soon, three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar came to visit Job. They sat with Job in silence for nearly a week, but on the seventh day, each man shared his thoughts on Job’s afflictions. All believed that Job’s agony was due to sin. Highly irritated, Job called his friends “worthless physicians who whitewash their advice with lies.” Job did not try to defend himself, but pleaded his case to God. Job believed there was a “Redeemer” in heaven who would vouch for his innocence (Job 19:25).

The constant upbraiding by his friends proved too much for Job. He lamented that God lets wicked people prosper while he and other innocent people suffer. (Evildoers seem to prosper for a while, but their sins always catch up with them.) Then, Elihu came to visit Job. Elihu claimed that Job’s excessive talking was a rebellion against God… that Job spent too much energy vindicating himself rather than God. Elihu added that physical suffering provided the sufferer an opportunity to recognize God’s love and forgiveness when he was well again.

Suddenly, God called from a whirlwind and confounded Job with His questions (chs. 38-41). The Supreme Creator asked Job this rhetorical question: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” After hearing His wonders of creation, Job acknowledged the unlimited power of God and conceded the limitations of human knowledge. This pleased God, yet He was still upset with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for spouting theologically unsound advice. Job interceded on their behalf and God forgave them. God accepted Elihu’s testimony. In the end, God returned Job’s health, provided him with twice as much property and possessions, gave him 10 new children, and granted him a long life.

It is folly to question God. His thinking is beyond human understanding. Isaiah wrote, “God’s ways are not our ways.” Jeremiah said that humans cannot question the Creator who “formed us in our mother’s womb.” Romans 9:21 says it best: “The clay (or pottery) cannot talk back to the Potter.”

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