A Study in Job part seven

A friend once told me that he had had a terrible morning. His car broke down, and he had to go to the expense of renting a vehicle to get to work and the hassle of getting his repaired. But then his eyes lit up with joy as he told me that he had bumped into a man at the repair shop who listened intently as the gospel was shared. The man had been prepared by God for this conversation. My friend was convinced that it was a divine encounter, and it made sense of the morning’s hassle.

Often the Christian doesn’t have to look too far to see God’s hand in life’s trials. God promises to work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). So I, in a semi-jest cynically responded to my friend Scotty, “So what was the purpose of Job’s experience, as he sat in misery covered with sore boils from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet? Was he holding a gospel tract and looking for some divine encounter?” I couldn’t see too much light in Job’s long and dark experience, other than the divine revelation that he was vile, and I knew that there was a less painful way to get that.

Scotty smiled and said, “Are you kidding? Millions have taken comfort from Job’s experience.” It was a “duh” moment for me. It was true! Millions of people have found consolation in their sufferings because of the Book of Job. The Maker of the universe looked into the future to the day when billions of copies of the Bible would be printed and bring light to those who find themselves in terrible darkness. Job had no idea how much good would come from such suffering. He didn’t know that he would be admired down and preached and written about through the ages:

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:9-11, NKJV).

He had no idea that he would become one of the greatest heroes of the best-selling book of all time, which would be published more than 3,000 years after his dreadful experience.

Continued tomorrow...