The Bible says that Satan roams the Earth as a roaring lion, “seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8). Would the God you worship intentionally encourage this roaring lion to rip through all your earthly possessions and devour your children? That is exactly what God did to His servant Job!
Yet “in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22). At one point, Job showed an outstanding attitude—one that we would all find worthy to emulate.
But God was not yet through with Job! The Eternal then placed Job directly in Satan’s hands, to test him. In short order, Satan attacked Job’s body with boils from head to toe. These boils were so painful that Job regretted ever having been born (Job 3:11).
For years God had placed a hedge around Job, protecting him from Satan, because Job feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:8). In addition, God had blessed Job with great wealth. Why did God suddenly turn this “perfect and…upright man” over to man’s greatest adversary?
Job’s Friends
Job’s three closest friends offered their analysis of the situation. The only explanation that seemed right to them was that God had thrust Job down due to his wickedness (Job 32:13). Another friend, Elihu, strongly disagreed. He was angry “because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job” (v. 3).
Job tried several times to defend himself from their false accusations: “I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, He [God] findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy…. I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment [or justice].… My wound is incurable without transgression” (Job 33:8-11; 34:5-6). Given the circumstances, do you find it easy to identify with Job’s comments? If God were to ever test you in this way, how would you respond?
The fact is, this time Job had “ charged God foolishly.” Elihu became angry with him “because he justified himself rather than God” (Job 32:2). Job’s sin was not God’s fault. James 1:13-15 shows that it is our own lusts that tempt us—not God. Jesus Christ said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). As sinful as Job’s accusations were, they were only the outward manifestation of a serious flaw within Job’s own heart. Job loved himself more than he loved God.
Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” The truth is, Job was not aware that he had become self-righteous. God needed to reveal it to him. Helping Job recognize this hidden character flaw was far more important than his great herds and huge estate. Cleansing Job of his pride and vanity was more important than the lives of Job’s servants. Breaking Job’s stubborn will was more important than the lives of his children. God was willing to take all these blessings from Job and bring him to the brink of death in order to build a right relationship with him.
Self-righteousness is very common—even among the people of God. It would be great if we could all learn this lesson by simply studying Job’s experiences. Unfortunately, Bible prophecy reveals that, like Job, the majority of God’s own people will be forced to experience Satan’s wrath during the Great Tribulation before they repent of their self-righteousness.
This is the Passover season, a time of self-examination. We must learn to recognize this sin and conquer it, before it destroys us.
God Is Greater Than Man!
When Job imputed motives to God that were not true, Elihu called him to task. “Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man” (Job 33:12). That is the primary solution to overcoming the sins of vanity and self-righteousness: We must see the greatness of God.
Elihu proceeded to declare God’s righteousness to Job and his friends. “Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness… Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment” (Job 34:10-12). If Job had known God the way he should have, he would have already known this!
Elihu said, “Why dost thou strive against him?… For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not” (Job 33:13-14). Elihu laid the blame for all Job’s afflictions squarely upon Job! Look Job, you are striving against the Almighty God! There is no higher authority in the universe. When God speaks, you ought to listen. He has tried to reveal Himself to you. The trouble is, you have not been paying attention!
If we want to know and understand God, we must pay attention when He speaks.
How Does God Speak to Man?
God has many ways of making instruction available to man. The Church makes that instruction available to the world via the Internet, radio, TV, monthly publications, booklets and other literature. This is how God shows His love to those in the world, our neighbors. As for the brethren, our assembling at Church services and Bible studies is a primary source for godly instruction. In addition, the Holy Spirit energizes our prayers, private Bible study, meditation and fasting to solidify God’s precepts, statutes and judgments in our minds. This is the formula needed to get to know and love God. It is also how God shows His love to the Church.
When man fails to pay attention and learn from these more conventional methods of instruction, God will speak to man through chastening. Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and other so-called natural disasters are used by God to chasten a self-righteous and rebellious nation. Sickness and disease are common forms of godly chastening on a more personal level. Therefore, whenever an individual or a loved one becomes sick, it is time to examine oneself and redouble the effort to listen to God and obey His instructions.
If a serious illness goes on long enough, it can bring a person to the verge of death (Job 33:21-22). This severe form of godly chastisement does not happen very often, but when it does, it is perhaps one of the hardest issues to understand and accept—even among God’s most faithful saints.
How many times have we seen a loved one suffer and die in the faith, only to have a surviving family member or friend turn away from the truth and leave the Church of God? This would not happen if everyone viewed chastening and trials from God’s point of view, rather than their own.
God’s Chastening
Here are three brief points to keep in mind about God’s chastening:
1) Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” That means God will not severely chastise His saints unless it is absolutely necessary to fulfill His purpose.
2) I Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation [test or trial] taken you but such as is common to man….” How many times have we read in the news about individuals who have lost everything in a tornado, hurricane or fire? How many times have the ravages of war taken a person’s possessions and family, leaving him or her to start life afresh? How many times have people suffered long, agonizing deaths due to cancer or another terminal illness? Such trials are indeed “common to man” in this evil world. Why? Because sin is common to man! Even God’s people sin. And all sin has a penalty; it is simply cause and effect.
When God chastens, it is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be corrected. The severe afflictions that Job suffered were signs that something was seriously wrong that he needed to correct. Without correction from God, how would anyone ever perfect his obedience to God?
3) I Corinthians 10:13 continues: “…but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted [tested, tried] above that ye are able; but will with the temptation [trial] also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” We need to get our minds off our afflictions! Focus instead on the way of escape that God has promised to provide. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We cannot find God’s way of escape on our own. We have to go to God for the answer. That is the primary purpose for God’s chastening—to turn us to Him. Our primary goal must be to obey God.
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced what appeared to be certain death in a burning fire, their focus was upon obeying God. That is the attitude we all must have. Even when death may appear to be the only way to “escape” a sin against God, He may surprise us with another way of escape that we had never considered.
James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” A blessing comes for enduring, or conquering the temptation to sin. We must remember that fatal illnesses, even long, drawn-out, painful deaths, are not an excuse for anyone to fall into sin—especially the sin of thinking that God is our enemy. A crown of life awaits those who truly love God and endure unto the end.
Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake
Job was being chastened for his own sins. Persecution for righteousness’ sake is an entirely different matter. Persecution is a result of the sins of others. If we are wise as serpents and harmless as doves, we can avoid much of the persecution of this world. However, God’s work sometimes forces us to take a stand that will place us in the heart of persecution. It may come from our employer, our neighbors—even our own family. Anyone who does not know and love God and His laws, statutes and judgments is a potential source of persecution (Matt. 10:34-36).
I Peter 4:13-14 explains what our reaction should be to persecution: “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
Notice, Peter contrasts persecution with chastening due to sin: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (vv. 15-16).
If we continue in sin until God finds it necessary to chasten us, we ought to be ashamed and disgusted with ourselves. We need to speedily confess our sin and repent. But if our suffering comes from properly upholding the name of Christ in support of His work, we can rejoice and glorify God. There is no need to repent (I Pet. 2:20-21).
An Interpreter and a Ransom
It is sometimes hard to tell if we are being chastened by God (suffering as a sinner) or being persecuted (suffering as a Christian). Like Job, we may need help to see the truth.
“If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his [God’s] uprightness: Then he [God] is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom” (Job 33:23-24). Without an interpreter, we can be deceived into thinking our chastening is really persecution! If we examine ourselves and seek wisdom from God’s ministry, the truth will eventually be known. How much do we value the interpreters God has provided for us?
God has also provided a ransom capable of delivering us from every sin and, therefore, every affliction. That ransom is Jesus Christ. Mr. Armstrong taught God’s Church about the complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His beaten body makes it possible for us to be delivered from physical affliction. His shed blood during an agonizing death makes it possible to be removed from the pit of eternal death. Both physical and spiritual healing are available to all those who accept His complete sacrifice in faith. That complete sacrifice is the only way of escape God has made available for our past sins.
When we go to one of God’s ministers to be anointed for healing, we are accepting that ransom. We are openly admitting that we have physically sinned and need to be forgiven. We are also acknowledging that we have been rightly and justly chastened by God. We are asking God to apply the stripes of Christ to our body. Being anointed is a sign that we accept God’s correction and no longer desire to remain in our physical sin.
Healing Ought Not Come Too Soon!
Notice this important statement by Elihu in Job 34:35-37: “Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.”
Job did not accept the correction from Elihu, God’s interpreter. Not only did Job continue to maintain his own righteousness, he multiplied his words against God. It’s one thing to overlook a “hidden” sin, it is quite another to openly reject God’s revelation regarding your sin. That is rebellion!
I John 1:8-9 proclaims an amazing and encouraging truth. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God wanted Job to confess his sin and be forgiven! God is after a humble and contrite spirit in His children (Isa. 66:2; Ps. 51:17). Therefore, if someone is suffering more than we think they should be, we need to realize that God knows best!
When dealing with a rebellious child, many parents make the mistake of giving in too soon. Parents are not demonstrating love if they stop chastening while a child remains in rebellion. The problem will only grow worse, eventually leading to a much stronger correction!
God earnestly desires us to be prosperous and in good health. But far more importantly, He desires development of holy, righteous character. We must keep our focus on the big picture. What may appear to us to be an injustice is really a vital step to that person’s character development! The same is true of the trials we ourselves face.
Here is the advice Elihu gave Job: “Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (Job 34:31-32). Very sound advice for any of us in a trial.
Job would not listen to Elihu. It was not until God Himself spoke to Job and backed up everything Elihu had said that Job accepted the truth. Once Job fully realized what he had been doing, he finally repented.
Job’s Repentance
“Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1-6).
Job had finally come to see God. Suddenly He had come to truly understand and appreciate God’s love, mercy and justice—even within the context of all that he had suffered. Job now loved God for making the effort to correct him. He realized that God’s chastening had saved him from eternal death. Now his ordeal could finally come to an end. Only through heartfelt repentance toward God could Job properly receive the physical and spiritual healing God wanted for him all along.
God blessed Job mightily in the end (vv. 12-17). Some people make the mistake of thinking God is only concerned about our spiritual well-being. But God also wants to bless us physically. Our Father was willing to have His only begotten Son beaten beyond recognition to make physical healing possible. Jesus Christ willingly submitted to that beating out of love for us and a desire that is clearly expressed in III John 2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
God wants us to have as much prosperity and good health as we are able to handle! Job ended his life a wealthy man, both physically and spiritually. He has a crown reserved for him in the resurrection.
A Way to Escape God’s Chastisement
The lesson of Job is vital. It explains what happens to God’s people when they become self-righteous. But we shouldn’t have to learn this lesson the hard way. All we have to do is get to know and love the true God! Study and meditate upon His character, His government, His law, His mercy, His future promises and His great love for us. That puts our righteousness into perspective (Isa. 64:6). The beaten body and the agonizing death of Jesus Christ demonstrate the tremendous love that both God the Father and Jesus Christ have for each one of us.
I Corinthians 11:31-32 was written within the context of the Passover. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged [by God]. But when we are judged [by God], we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” We see three groups of people spoken of in this verse. One group judges themselves and willingly and voluntarily repents. The second group is judged by God and chastened before they repent. Both of these groups will be in the first resurrection, because they both repent. We can infer from this verse a third group—those who refuse to repent before being plunged into the worst suffering this world will ever experience.
When God rewards all men according to their works, which of these three groups will receive the greater reward? Obviously, it will be those who have learned to repent and overcome without the need of severe chastening from God. These people are zealously motivated to become just like God in every way. They look to God daily for the right way to live. They ask questions, seek advice, make corrections, and accept the challenge of overcoming Satan, self and society.
Although chastening is one of God’s gifts, and a sign that He loves us as sons, it is still not a virtue to be chastened of the Lord due to our sins. In fact, it grieves God and His ministers to have to chasten His children. Of course, if chastisement does come from the Eternal, we ought to welcome it and repent as soon as possible.
The Bible makes clear that one of God’s greatest desires is to deliver us from all sin and all chastening. He would love to place a hedge around us and protect all our possessions and all our loved ones from Satan’s wrath. The question is, will we learn our lessons through self-examination and truly get to know and love the true God?