1. Job and the Problem of Suffering Answering the Why of Suffering Part 1

2. Three Great Questions About Suffering Answered by Job We live in a world of suffering: sickness, disease, war, violence, natural disasters, etc. Why am I suffering? (Job 1:11-12) How do I react to suffering? (Job 1:20-22; 2:10; 13:15; 40:3-5; 42:1-6; Ezek. 14:14,20; James 5:10-11) What good benefit can come from suffering? (Job 23:10)

3. Why Suffering? Why God? Why would an all-knowing God not simply prevent evil & suffering from happening in the first place? Why would an all-loving God allow evil & suffering to continue happening? Why would an all-powerful God not simply remove evil & suffering once and for all?

4. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Suffering may be the result of my own free- will actions (Gen. 1:31; 2:16-17; 3:1ff)  God’s world has natural laws (gravity, storms, fires, sunshine, etc.); if I violate, ignore or get in the way of these laws there will be serious consequences – Galatians 6:7  God’s world has moral laws (respect for life, telling the truth, etc.); if I violate or ignore these laws there will be serious consequences – 1 Peter 2:19; 4:15

5. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Suffering may be the result of my own free-will actions…  Suffering because of my sin (1 Pet. 4:15)  Suffering because of the sins of others (Ex. 1; Lk. 10:30-36)  Suffering because of the sins of former generations (Ex. 20:5-6)

6. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Suffering may be the result of my own free-will actions…  However, we must not assume, like Job’s friends, that all suffering is divine punishment for personal sins (Lk. 13:1-5; Jn. 9:2-3)

7. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Suffering may be the result of my own free-will actions…  Suffering because I stand for right (Dan. 1:4,8; 3:1ff; 6:1ff; Mt. 5:10-12; Jn. 16:33; Acts 5:41; 6:3,8; 7:1ff; 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12; Heb. 11:25; 1 Pet. 2:19ff; 3:13ff; 4:12ff)  Suffer innocently (1 Pet. 2:19-23)

8. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Suffering may be the work of Satan…  One work of Satan is to cause suffering (Job 1:6ff; 2:1ff; Lk. 13:16; 2 Cor. 12:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Rev. 2:10)  Satan has his limits (Job 1-2; 1 Cor. 10:13)  Satan can be conquered (2 Cor. 12:7; 1 Thess. 2:18; Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:10)

9. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Suffering may be chastening (discipline) from the Lord…  God can chasten his people through suffering (Deut. 8:5; Prov. 3:11-12; Amos 4:6-12; 1 Cor. 11:31-32; Rev. 3:19)  God can chasten the world through suffering (Rev. 9:18-21)

10. The Problem of Suffering Why Am I Suffering? Where suffering exists look for all possible explanations (free-will, Satan, the Lord’s chastening) Try to balance one or more of these biblical explanations with walking by faith: Gideon (Judges 6), Job (Job 9), the Psalmist (Psa. 73), Habakkuk (Hab. 2:1-4)

11. Job and the Problem of Suffering What Are the Benefits? We do not suffer in vain; there is benefit to our suffering (Job 23:10) If you want a life without suffering, be faithful to the end (Rev. 21:1-4; Prov. 24:10)