Suffering – Too Wonderful to Understand
Why do people who know and follow God still suffer excruciating things? This piercing question haunted Job after he had suffered the devastating loss of his resources, family, and health. Three of his so-called friends attempted to answer this question by accusing him of hidden sin. Despite their lengthy speeches, Job persistently denied this charge, and in the end, God himself charged these men with making false accusations (Job 42:7-8).
How does Elihu’s answer differ from God’s?
Following this lengthy series of ignorant accusations, another of Job’s friends, named Elihu, made a noble attempt to give an answer (Job 32-37). His perspective stands out from the other men, because God didn’t admonish him. Furthermore, Elihu didn’t accuse Job of sinning in an outright or hidden manner, presuming to know something about Job’s personal life which he could not have known. In fact, he seems to have agreed with God about the real nature of Job’s problem. This problem was neither outright nor hidden sin. Instead, it was “speaking without knowledge” (Job 34:35). God would later accuse Job of the same thing (Job 38:2), which Job himself would later acknowledge (Job 42:3).
Despite the apparent value and accuracy of Elihu’s observations, in what way did his perspective still fall short? Unlike the previous three men who ventured answers, he had not spoken erroneously. Instead, the weakness in his answer was that he spoke from a limited perspective (Job 32-37). Consider the following observations and compare them to the way that God eventually answered Job in the end.
A Subdued View of God’s Communication
When Elihu described the way that God communicated with people, he said that God spoke in dreams and visions, especially in the quietness of sleep at night (Job 33:14-15). Ironically, when God did speak to Job, however, he did not speak in this quiet, serene manner. He spoke to Job from an imposing, overwhelming windstorm instead (Job 38:1; 40:6).
A Restricted View of the Natural World
He spoke about what everyone can see, giving special attention to natural revelation, which is the natural world that God has made (Job 36:25). He alluded to natural weather patterns, for instance, all of which were observable phenomenon such as the water cycle in which water evaporates into droplets, then forms into clouds, and then falls to the earth as rain with thunder (Job 36:27-33; 37:1-7, 8-18).
When God spoke, however, he alluded to similar things, but on a grander scale and in a more transcendent way. He asked questions about things in the natural world that Job could not see and could not explain. These things included: the original creation of the natural world, the sunrise and sunset, the hidden fountains under the oceans, the source of light, the origins of snow and rain apart from the natural precipitation cycle, and the stars of the galaxies (Job 38:4-38).
A Minimal View of Living Creatures
Elihu alluded to animals in general, such as “beasts of the earth” and “birds of heaven,” “cattle,” and “beasts” who go into dens (35:11; 36:33; 37:8). In stunning contrast, God also alluded to animals but on a much broader spectrum and far grander scale (Job 39:1-30; 40:15-41:34). He mentioned more kinds of animals, more exotic animals, and more incredible animals than Elihu offered, including: mountain goats, wild donkeys, wild oxen, ostriches and storks, horses, hawks, and even two dinosaur-like creatures called behemoth and Leviathan.
Some consider behemoth to be a reference to the hippopotamus, perhaps it more likely refers to something like a brontosaurus (Job 40:17). Some consider Leviathan a reference to the crocodile. However, since a crocodile doesn’t breath out fire, this suggestion seems to fall short. The more likely reference may be a terrifying dinosaur, similar to a fire-breathing dragon, whether on land or in the ocean (see also Psa 74:14; Isa 27:1).
Cliches Rather Than Questions
When Elihu spoke, he did so with many simple, theological statements, stringing together various clichés that happen to be true. He made such statements about man’s limitations and sinfulness, and about God’s power, justice, and care. As he said things which are technically correct, he approached the borders of God’s transcendence, but only just approached the concept (38:19-24). when God spoke, he did so on a grander scale (Job 38-41). His statements overshadowed the patent clichés and simplistic observations Elihu made.
In fact, it is helpful to point out that despite Elihu’s human limitations and finite perspective he made an incredible amount of dogmatic statements. God however, who is infinite and knows all things, took an opposite approach. Instead of stringing together a series of dogmatic statements, he presented Job with a barrage of questions instead. Do you see the irony in this? Elihu knew very little, but spoke as though he had things figured out; but God, who knows all things, offered questions – not statements – instead. Why did he do this?
What can you learn from this comparison?
If you learn to be honest with God, as Job soon learned to be, then you will acknowledge that the ways of God are far too wonderful for you to understand (Job 42:3). Like Elihu, you may observe the greatness of God in creation and make statements about him and his ways that are technically and theologically correct. Honestly, this you must do. Nevertheless, you must also acknowledge that these things are not equal to a full and complete understanding of God and his ways.
So then, why do people who know and follow God often suffer excruciating things? You can search the pages of Scripture to answer this question, a good and necessary approach. By searching the Scriptures you will learn about the timeless, trustworthy character of God. You will discover principles that will help you to make better sense of your situation and to respond in a more God-dependent manner. However, when you reach the end of your search, you must humbly stop short of feeling or claiming to have everything figured out.
Until you are able to answer all the questions that God asked Job, then you need to be careful not to make all the dogmatic statements about your suffering (and other’s) as Elihu did. Until you can answer all of God’s questions, then you also need to acknowledge that the answers to some of your questions are far too wonderful to understand. God’s nature and ways exceed your ability to comprehend. However, you can trust him, even in your greatest suffering. As with Job, God has not failed you. He is simply working things out to accomplish his greater, grander, and more glorious purpose. Perhaps that is why you suffer … to learn that this is true.
Thomas Overmiller serves as pastor for Faith Baptist Church in Corona, NY and blogs at Shepherd Thoughts. This article first appeared at Shepherd Thoughts, used here with permission.