Wisdom Literature Part 05
The key takeaways from Job are significant as we come to understand God’s mind and see His love even as He allows suffering. God views our physical existence as a training ground for eternity.
What do we learn from Job’s suffering?
Is human righteousness ever enough? Can we earn salvation? Are we ever able to approach the mind of God? We learn that God has a purpose when He allows suffering. He views this life as a training ground for eternity. James encourages us to view our physical challenges through this lens:
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (James 1:2-3).
This exhortation would seem ludicrous without an understanding God’s great plan for mankind, to bring many children to glory, which included the necessity of Christ’s suffering (Hebrews 2:10).
Key takeaways from Job include a recognition of the gift that God has given us by making us in His image and giving us the potential of becoming members of His eternal family. This is an opportunity that we cannot earn or demand. We only have hope due to God’s grace and mercy. He freely gives us His favor through His grace and mercifully does not give us what we deserve, which is ultimately death.
As we consider the magnitude of His power and His authority over our lives, we develop respect and appreciation for God’s gift and the understanding we're given of the process to reconciliation and salvation.
What about Satan?
Satan served God’s purpose and was a tool in helping Job to become more righteous before God. Also, Satan was proven wrong. Job remained faithful and trusting of God throughout the worst time of his life! Job never did curse God to His face as Satan said he would (Job 2:5).
We see that Satan is pleased to inflict suffering and is certain that his involvement will bring about the destruction of humans as they despair and give up on life and God. For this reason, he will never stop trying to destroy the hope that we have. He knows that he will not be successful in the end, yet his only victory is to take you and me with him.
What about you and me?
Do we worship God because we want His blessings or because God is worthy? If we lost everything we hold dear in life, would we still revere and trust God? Some turn away from God when face with terrible trials like Job’s. Would you? Do we justify ourselves or do we humbly accept whatever God allows to come our way?
In our next lesson on the Wisdom Literature, we will explore the value of Proverbs.
© Randy Urwiller, 2025. All rights reserved.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
