Why does God let bad things happen to good people?

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Why does God let Why does God let bad things bad things happen to good happen to good people? people?

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Job. Why does God let bad things happen to good people?. The Rightesous. Introduction. 1 st of the Poetic books 18 th book overall of the Old Testament. True Story. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Why does God let bad things happen to good people?

Page 1: Why does God let bad things happen to good people?

Why does God let Why does God let bad things happen bad things happen

to good people?to good people?

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IntroductionIntroduction

11stst of the Poetic books of the Poetic books 1818thth book overall of the Old Testament book overall of the Old Testament

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True StoryTrue Story

““Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 14:14the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 14:14

““Indeed we count them blessed who endure. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11merciful.” James 5:11

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DateDate

The era of the Patriarchs, or earlierThe era of the Patriarchs, or earlier– No mention of the ExodusNo mention of the Exodus– No mention of the Temple LawsNo mention of the Temple Laws– No mention of Aaron’s Priesthood,No mention of Aaron’s Priesthood,

Job offered sacrifices on behalf of his familyJob offered sacrifices on behalf of his family

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AuthorshipAuthorship

Unknown, but most probably one of the Unknown, but most probably one of the following:following:– MosesMoses– Eliphaz the TemaniteEliphaz the Temanite– Bildad the ShuhiteBildad the Shuhite– Zophar the Naamathite Zophar the Naamathite – Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the

family of Ram family of Ram

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StructureStructure

Prologue: Ch. 1-2Prologue: Ch. 1-2– Job’s life storyJob’s life story– God allows “Satan” to testGod allows “Satan” to test– Job’s 7 tribulationsJob’s 7 tribulations

Job’s friends come to console him: Ch. 3-31Job’s friends come to console him: Ch. 3-31– Eliphaz, Bildad and ZopharEliphaz, Bildad and Zophar– Each spoke 3 times, except for Zophar spoke Each spoke 3 times, except for Zophar spoke

twice, and Job answering each one in turntwice, and Job answering each one in turn

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StructureStructure

Job’s 4Job’s 4thth friend, Elihu, starts speaking, Ch. friend, Elihu, starts speaking, Ch. 32-3732-37

God speaks to Job and restores his life, Ch. God speaks to Job and restores his life, Ch. 38-4238-42

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JobJob

Job was a righteous man:Job was a righteous man:– ““Blameless and upright, and one who feared God and Blameless and upright, and one who feared God and

shunned evil” Job 1:1shunned evil” Job 1:1 Not an Israelite, Not an Israelite,

– ““a man in the land of Uz” Job 1:1a man in the land of Uz” Job 1:1 7 sons and 3 daughters7 sons and 3 daughters Wealthy:Wealthy:

– ““seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Job 1:2,3greatest of all the people of the East.” Job 1:2,3

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A heavenly meetingA heavenly meeting

““Now there was a day when the sons of God Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.“ LORD, and Satan also came among them.“ Job 1:6Job 1:6

Satan means “The Accuser”Satan means “The Accuser” ““From going to and fro on the earth, and From going to and fro on the earth, and

from walking back and forth on it.” Job 1:7 & from walking back and forth on it.” Job 1:7 & Job 2:2Job 2:2

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A heavenly meetingA heavenly meeting

God initiated the discussion about Job,God initiated the discussion about Job,– ““Have you considered My servant Job, that Have you considered My servant Job, that

there is none like him on the earth, a blameless there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” Job 1:8evil?” Job 1:8

Satan does not deny Job’s righteousness, Satan does not deny Job’s righteousness, but accuses his motives,but accuses his motives,– ““Does Job fear God for nothing?” Job 1:9Does Job fear God for nothing?” Job 1:9

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Trials & TribulationsTrials & Tribulations

God allows Satan to take all of Job’s possessions, God allows Satan to take all of Job’s possessions, but not his health.but not his health.

First 4 tests:First 4 tests:– The Sabeans raided the oxens and donkeysThe Sabeans raided the oxens and donkeys– ““The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the

sheep and the servants, and consumed them” Job 1:16sheep and the servants, and consumed them” Job 1:16– The Chaldeans raided the camelsThe Chaldeans raided the camels– Big storm, all 10 children died in the house of the elder Big storm, all 10 children died in the house of the elder

brotherbrother

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Trials & TribulationsTrials & Tribulations

Job does not curse God, but instead saysJob does not curse God, but instead says– ““Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and

naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

The Accuser still accusesThe Accuser still accuses– ““Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will

give for his life.” Job 2:4give for his life.” Job 2:4

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Trials & TribulationsTrials & Tribulations

God allows Satan to take Job’s health, but God allows Satan to take Job’s health, but not his mind.not his mind.

The last 3 Test:The last 3 Test:– ““Satan … struck Job with painful boils from the Satan … struck Job with painful boils from the

sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” Job sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” Job 2:72:7

– His wife abondons him: “Do you still hold fast to His wife abondons him: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9

– Job’s friends: Eliphaz, Bildad and ZopharJob’s friends: Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar

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Comfort NOT from AboveComfort NOT from Above

Job’s friends came to comfort him:Job’s friends came to comfort him:– ““when they raised their eyes from afar, and did when they raised their eyes from afar, and did

not recognize him, they lifted their voices and not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. So they sat dust on his head toward heaven. So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.” Job for they saw that his grief was very great.” Job 2:12,132:12,13

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Comfort NOT from AboveComfort NOT from Above

After seven days, Job finally speaks and After seven days, Job finally speaks and says: “May the day perish on which I was says: “May the day perish on which I was born” Job 3:3born” Job 3:3

Then the dialogues of between Job and his Then the dialogues of between Job and his three friends begin,three friends begin,– Eliphaz, 3 speeches (Ch. 4 & 5, 15, 22)Eliphaz, 3 speeches (Ch. 4 & 5, 15, 22)– Bildad, 3 speeches (Ch. 8, 18, 25) Bildad, 3 speeches (Ch. 8, 18, 25) – Zophar, 2 speeches (Ch. 11, 20)Zophar, 2 speeches (Ch. 11, 20)– Job, 8 speechesJob, 8 speeches

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Comfort NOT from AboveComfort NOT from Above

Job’s friends failed to comfort him and also failed Job’s friends failed to comfort him and also failed to point him to the cause of his sufferingsto point him to the cause of his sufferings– False accusations: “Is not your wickedness great, And False accusations: “Is not your wickedness great, And

your iniquity without end? For you have taken pledges your iniquity without end? For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, And stripped the naked from your brother for no reason, And stripped the naked of their clothing. You have not given the weary water to of their clothing. You have not given the weary water to drink, And you have withheld bread from the hungry. But drink, And you have withheld bread from the hungry. But the mighty man possessed the land, And the honorable the mighty man possessed the land, And the honorable man dwelt in it. You have sent widows away empty, And man dwelt in it. You have sent widows away empty, And the strength of the fatherless was crushed.” Job 22:5-9the strength of the fatherless was crushed.” Job 22:5-9

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The 3 FriendsThe 3 Friends

Eliphaz: Personal experienceEliphaz: Personal experience Bildad: Tradition, more logicalBildad: Tradition, more logical Zophar: “Bad things just happen”Zophar: “Bad things just happen” All three friends tried to convince Job that All three friends tried to convince Job that

these things happened to him because of a these things happened to him because of a sin he committed, and they tried to falsely sin he committed, and they tried to falsely accuse him to justify their way of thinking.accuse him to justify their way of thinking.

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The 4The 4thth friend friend

ElihuElihu– Meaning: My God is “He”Meaning: My God is “He”– Present since the beginningPresent since the beginning– Silent since the beginningSilent since the beginning– YoungestYoungest

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The 4The 4thth friend friend

““the wrath of Elihu … was aroused against the wrath of Elihu … was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.” Job answer, and yet had condemned Job.” Job 32:2,332:2,3

Elihu began to show Job his real problemElihu began to show Job his real problemSELF-RIGHTEOUSNESSSELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

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The Real ProblemThe Real Problem ““When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the

open square, The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose open square, The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood; The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on and stood; The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth; The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to their mouth; The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me; Because I delivered the poor when the eye saw, then it approved me; Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. The who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, And I was justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the that I did not know. I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth.” victim from his teeth.” Job 29:7-17Job 29:7-17

““But now they mock at me, men younger than I, whose fathers I But now they mock at me, men younger than I, whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock.” disdained to put with the dogs of my flock.” Job 30:1Job 30:1

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The Real ProblemThe Real Problem

Indeed Job was righteousIndeed Job was righteous Even Satan did not deny Job’s righteousnessEven Satan did not deny Job’s righteousness Elihu confronted Job with his real problem,Elihu confronted Job with his real problem,

– ““Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words, saying, ‘I am pure, heard the sound of your words, saying, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. Yet He finds occasions against me, He iniquity in me. Yet He finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy” Job 33:8-10counts me as His enemy” Job 33:8-10

Job is unable to answerJob is unable to answer Elihu prepared the way for God’s speechElihu prepared the way for God’s speech

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God AlmightyGod Almighty

When Job is finally ready, God speaks to When Job is finally ready, God speaks to him through the storm, saying:him through the storm, saying:– ““Who is this who darkens counsel by words Who is this who darkens counsel by words

without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” Job 38:2,3Me.” Job 38:2,3

– Ch. 38, 39 & 40, 41 speak about the great and Ch. 38, 39 & 40, 41 speak about the great and awesome works of God in His creation and the awesome works of God in His creation and the way He takes care of it.way He takes care of it.

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Job before GodJob before God

Job finally begins to realize his error:Job finally begins to realize his error:– ““Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I

lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Job 40:4,5will proceed no further.” Job 40:4,5

– ““I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5,642:5,6

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““I will sing of mercy and justice” I will sing of mercy and justice” Psalm 101:1Psalm 101:1

God forgave Job, and “gave Job twice as God forgave Job, and “gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10much as he had before.” Job 42:10– All possessions were returned to Job in doubleAll possessions were returned to Job in double– God gave Job 7 sons and 3 daughters, on God gave Job 7 sons and 3 daughters, on

account of the first 10 children still counted for account of the first 10 children still counted for Job and will be waiting for him in heavenJob and will be waiting for him in heaven

– Job lived 140 peaceful years after his Job lived 140 peaceful years after his tribulationstribulations

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““I will sing of mercy and justice” I will sing of mercy and justice” Psalm 101:1Psalm 101:1

God even asked Job’s three friends to go God even asked Job’s three friends to go ask job to offer sacrifices on their behalf, to ask job to offer sacrifices on their behalf, to further show His approval of Job and to further show His approval of Job and to indicate that He had forgiven him.indicate that He had forgiven him.

““After this Job lived one hundred and forty After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days.” Job 42:16,17died, old and full of days.” Job 42:16,17

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Why do we suffer?Why do we suffer?

1.1. General suffering, for the sake of the balance of nature and due to General suffering, for the sake of the balance of nature and due to its laws.its laws.

2.2. Temptation from the devil and because of the weakness of man, to Temptation from the devil and because of the weakness of man, to separate man from God.separate man from God.

3.3. Tribulation from God,Tribulation from God,i.i. To increase the faithTo increase the faith

ii.ii. To discipline and not to punishTo discipline and not to punish

iii.iii. To purifyTo purify

iv.iv. To shapeTo shape

v.v. To keep man from prideTo keep man from pride

vi.vi. For man to have compassion on his fellow manFor man to have compassion on his fellow man

vii.vii. To share with Christ in His sufferingTo share with Christ in His suffering

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