“Why do bad things happen to good people?”
This is a question we’ve all asked at some point in our lives. And up until this point in our reading of Job, it’s been the essential question. In other words, how else could Job’s excruciating circumstances be explained here, “on the ground”? (Job 1:20). No one sitting around Job had access to the heavenly scene you and I read in chapters 1 and 2, so how else were they to understand the human wreckage sitting right in front of them? As far as Job’s friends were concerned, the only possibly explanation was that Job must have committed some egregious sin.
Job and his friends did have the same fundamental theological framework. With this in mind, they reasoned that if people are good, they can expect God to be good to them in return. (This also sounds an awful lot like a message from today’s culture.) Sinful behavior, on the other hand, results in disastrous consequences. (We see this laced throughout God’s instructions at Sinai, emphasized by the prophets, and threaded throughout later books as well.) But this a human expectation. We believe life is supposed to be fair. Turns out, it’s not—which is why we hear the steady drumbeat of this question throughout Job: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
In this chapter, that question gets turned somewhat on its head, inverted: “Why do good things keep happening to bad people?” Why are some wealthy and seemingly untroubled while others struggle day in and day out? In our cultural terms, we wonder how someone can afford to travel abroad to exotic places while others have to work three jobs, struggling to keep food on the table. Why do some people seem to lead such peaceful lives? How do some get away with blatantly rejecting God? None of it seems fair.
Zophar’s emphatic response was this: the sinful may lead lives that look just peachy on the outside, but it’s all fleeting (ch. 20). Those who mistreat the poor and greedily hoard everything in sight—in the end, they will be crushed under God’s judgment and end up in the terror of utter darkness. Job’s response to this? Basically, “Yeah, right.” From what he had seen, the lives of immoral people were often golden. Their families were fine, they lived in security, and they were prosperous.
Letting the wicked get off scot free is not justice, Job reasoned. Most of us would agree with him, I suspect, as we watch all kinds of contemporary injustices parade across our television screens daily. But Job’s observations—while spot-on, to be sure—are not the only perspective. Scripture gives us another view, another way to regard the wicked who seem to flourish in this world. As the psalmist declared, it is only for a season. Those who wait on the Lord, those who hope in Him, will see justice (Psalm 37:34–36). And it is in the waiting that we, like Job, must trust in God and His righteous character, rather than trusting in what we perceive with our own eyes.
Elaine A. Phillips received a BA in social psychology from Cornell University, an MDiv from Biblical Theological Seminary, and an MA in Hebrew from the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, where she and her husband, Perry, studied and taught from 1976–79. She holds a PhD in rabbinic literature, and teaches Biblical Studies at Gordon College. She also serves as a historical geography field instructor for Jerusalem University College. She has published a commentary on Esther in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; a devotional book, With God, Nothing Is Impossible; and, most recently, An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts.
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60 thoughts on "Zophar’s Second Speech and Job’s Reply"
Good Morning! Thank you so much for these amazing study guides— I’d be lost without them. Just real quick, here on day 12 of the Job book, in the “guest writer” section, there’s a tiny typo on the last sentence of the first paragraph. It says “possibly” when it should say “possible”. It’s super tiny n not a big deal at all whatsoever, but at the same time if it was my site, I would appreciate knowing. That’s all. Thanks so much, again, for all you are and have done for so many of us to strengthen our relationships with Jesus Christ. These workbooks are priceless to me, personally. Thank you. Please stay blessed. ♀️✌
The waiting is the hardest and most beautiful place.
Lord i thank you for everything!
So good to be reminded that, even when it doesn’t seem like it, God is still the just and justifier.
One thing I learned from today’s ready is basically to not compare my life to others. We are all on different paths and although we may not be worthy of some of the things we have been through, we will get justice one day. We will see the light and the lord will bless us with what we deserve!
A song to listen to while reading about Job is Farther Along. The old Hymn and the new version by Father Josh Garrels
I have a hard time reading Job, and this lesson is really helping me understand. Thank you SRT.
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So one thing I have been wondering is what do you do when the people who have betrayed you are believers? It seems almost harder to realize that their sin, like my own, will not be counted against them on judgment day- yet how can they live now without repenting for the pain they have caused?
This question haunts me. I want to forgive. I am healing. But the wounds are deep and it’s hard to think that those who inflicted them also live with the Holy Spirit inside them yet have not been willing to repent.
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To April and Kathryn,
I think if we zoom out and look at this story and the overarching theme, God wants us to see that by putting our faith in Him, we can get through any trials that come our way in life. Job had a really good life prior to Satan entering the picture and he worshipped and thanked God for all of it every day, but he shows his true faith in God by continuing to trust Him despite going through extreme trials where he lost everything but his life. I think this was the point because Satan was convinced he would not continue to trust God if he lost everything, but he did. He persevered and clung to God’s goodness and mercy.
Laura – Thank you for sharing your comment. I can’t know your pain but your thoughtful words hit my heart.
Another daily reminder that needs to be out on repeat in my head and my heart
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18
This was the verse my youngest son clung to as he battled stage IV cancer from age 15-17. He lost his leg, two feet of small intestines, his hair, his strength, his health, his voice, his hopes and dreams in this lifetime….and then he lost his life.
And I am heartbroken. The grief and pain so often overwhelm me still. I frequently ask God “Why?” and “How could You allow this Lord?” But as I approach Luke’s headstone, Romans 8:18 is always the first thing I see. It is engraved on the back. And it is my reminder that there is a world and a life, beyond this one, that will far exceed all that we experience on earth.
This is the hope that I cling to through my pain and questioning God’s Will and Goodness. And through Luke’s life and death and Bible verse, God is reshaping me and reminding me what my purpose on this earth really is.
God bless you ❤️
I think I am most drawn to 2 Peter 3:9. God’s way of doing things is not “slow”, but instead it is patient. Job’s lament was a process, as we see he’s STILL going through it. I need to trust the process, my process, not that of anyone else, because He will see me through.
Question, does anyone know the meaning behind Job 21:29? I am curious the context or the answer to the question. It sounds retrorical.
Does rich = wicked? It is not money that is the root of all evil! It is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil.
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else encountering problems
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This may be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Thank you
In the waiting, we must trust God. I have to know Who God is. And cling to that when life is good and when life “falls apart”. My God does not change. He has rescued me and He will not let me go. Even when life is hard and sorrow abounds. Even when injustice seems to rule. God has not abandoned me. I can rest in Him. He is the calm in my storm.
This is such a conviction, I feel like this a lot of the time. And I do my best not to get hung up on why I feel this way. I have to remind myself often that life isn’t fair, and I should be content and thankful for what God has given me.
For Tricia and other commenters: when we pray honestly for God’s will to be done, He hears us and He is faithful to answer. Your osteosarcoma, my humiliating seizures as a teenager when people said awful (ignorant) things. He loves us and we can choose to glorify Him! Let us be true encouragers of one another. I love the honesty that this platform allows.
As I struggled with the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, it was and is still easy to say, why me? But then I remind myself, we live in a fallen world. Why not me? I can just give Him praise and pray that He be glorified in this situation.
I have three children ages 25-30 who do not know the Lord. And though I long for Christ to return, I appreciate 2 Peter 3:9. I’m ok with Him being slow. Please pray with me for my children, sisters. And please pray that my husband and I would stay strong in the Lord, glorifying Him in whatever the circumstance.
Peace and blessings to you all this weekend.
Praying for you and for your family, Tricia.
Anyone else struggling with the fact that God, for what seems like initially to prove a point to Satan, invited all the suffering into Jobs life? I get that we live in a fallen world and bad things and good things happen to all, suffering brings sanctification, I’ve experienced it in my own life, but for some reason I am hung up on this… it’s like God offers Job up. And it’s terrible suffering. How do you trust a relationship like that? One thing that keeps coming up for me are the suffering is “worth it” if God offers something better. Which I believe is Himself. Also, I may have too small of a view of God. I want to be cautious with my heart and not nurture a prideful heart towards God, but I also want to be honest about my questions and wrestle well. I appreciate all of your input, I read the comments every morning , thank you
I’m really struggling with this too.
I think that the enduring purpose of what God allowed Job to go through was so that for millennia to come those of us who read Job’s story could find comfort, strength, and understanding, not just to prove a point. Hundreds of years later we’re still talking about Job and it has comforted many of us and has been so relatable for so many in times of suffering. God knew that would be the ultimate outcome
Job’s life was blessed in every way. And I think most of us would agree that it’s much easier to praise and worship God when he’s raining down the blessings. But the true test of our Faith comes when those worldly blessings stop.
I have read Job before, but not with this detail. I find myself wanting to comfort him from his “friends.” It has been very eye-opening to me. I, myself, am a fixer. I don’t want others to hurt or struggle, so I try to fix it. How often have I seemed more like the “friends” than someone showing empathy. I never did this intentionally, of course, but I can totally see this being me. May I learn to shut up and just love people through the trial.
As I grow in my relationship with Christ, I don’t find myself worrying about how other people have it better than me. When I see injustice, I pray for all who are involved. I pray for the victims as well as then instigator. The Lord wants a relationship with them all and I pray they find something in their lives that will guide them to Him. When I see wealth being missed used, I pray for those who are taking advantage as well as those that have been cheated. Suffering is not easy, and I praise God that the suffering in my lifetime has been nothing compared to some, but my suffering is what lead me to Jesus. I pray that when/if my suffering is as great as that some people experince, my relationship with Christ will only grow more and I can find peace in His love for me.
Although I am from Nebraska, I live where there was the blizzard and not the flood. Thank you all for your dontations/prayers for the people of this state. The weather has been gorgeous here and most of the snow has already melted, but this weekend, we have flood warnings as we are expected to get quite a bit of rain on top of the melting snow. Pray for this are, as the North Platte river runs through here.
Lord, help me not to perceive what I see with my human eyes. I will trust in you. Amen. Sisters pray with me as I’ve had some car issues and they are very expensive. My car is old. I need to be wise what gets fixed. Recently somebody else looked at it (in hopes to save me money) but after praying I decided to stay with the shop who have been working on it. But it’s expensive. I need to be wise and disperse my finances wisely as I have other expenses. And one of them is an overnight trip with my daughter that means a lot to her and I’m not gonna give that up. I’m making that trip as inexpensive as possible
“Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Indeed, why?
He sends rain to fall on the just and the unjust…from Matt 5:45
THE RAIN FALLS…
it can be good…gentle spring showers
it can be bad…Nebraska
but fall it will.
But God…He is there when it falls. It falls at His will. I just get my rain gear and wait. I can either be refreshed or beat down. I can turn my face upward to be renewed or downward and look only at the mud, muck and mire. How I receive the rain depends on me.
But fall it will.
Be blessed this weekend all.
I am struggling with this a little bit.
“We will see justice”- I know that something inside us wants to see justice serve, especially since we already live the preconception that life should be fair. My problem is that when justice is served I think my heart will actually hurt to see people consumed by it. I know that it is just, but I often wonder if God’s heart would break on that day to see those he created destroyed.
The beauty of God- The end hasn’t come. 2000 years later, God is still wanting all to come to repentance. Some may want him to come quickly, but God’s heart to wait for all to come to repentance actually breaks my heart because he wants all of us to come to him.
Same. So, I have to go back to God’s holy, just, GOOD nature. I have to go back to my very human, finite self that can only see the ugly side of the tapestry He is weaving together. It’s trust. And that is hard sometimes to swallow. But when I go back to the gospel that says Jesus came down to heaven to die, I realize the story is true. It is different than all other world religions. The King coming to dust and not us going up to Him. Thx for sharing your perspective, Daniella, it sharpens my faith alongside you. ❤️
What even is good? We say “why do bad things happen to good people?” but good and bad are such subjective human terms. We look at people whose lives we deem “good” aka following Jesus, being nice, serving others and think they don’t deserve suffering but none of us are “good” people. We are not good, God is good. Only by his grace do we get any of the blessings that we have. We don’t earn them because we are good people. It puts it back into perspective that our goodness and our blessings come from Jesus and they are nothing we can earn on our own. And thank God that we don’t have to depend on our own goodness because even when things get hard and we don’t have the blessings we think we should have, God is still good and that never changes.
Ravi Zacharias … his YouTube videos and his book “Why Suffering?” have answered many questions for me on this subject.
Zophar’s words in verse 2 made me laugh out loud-and then sober, “This is why my unsettling thoughts compel me to answer, because I am upset!” Isn’t that what we do? Something is unsettling and instead of giving it to God to hold and help with, we whine and complain…because we are upset. At least I do that sometimes. I wish I didn’t. My buttons get pushed for so long and then I am done. Zophar and Job seem like they are there. As Job looks around and compares himself to others (which is always NOT good) he decides things aren’t fair. He probably knows that is not going to help but, he, is, so, done…Tough things are always hard as we go through them (and Job is going through unjust, tremendously difficult tough).
Then I thought of cookie dough and how difficult it is to stir at first, when I’m adding all the dry ingredients and they seem to so outweigh the smooth wet ones. Whining and complaining will not make it any less difficult to stir. Comparing my ability to stir with my husband’s doesn’t help either. Adding additional wet ones will help temporarily but then hinder during the baking. Only continuing to stir will make it easier. Only by mixing it in, to whatever is already in the bowl, can something good come from it. Once fully surrendered together, the dough can then be taken in small amounts and heated even further at which point the dough will change consistency into something better – something downright delicious.
I know some of you eat the cookie dough right from the bowl, to which I say, good for you…enjoying it even in the mix .
Lord, please use these words and the analogy in hearts and minds today, mine and others. Thank you for your living and true word. Thank you for Jesus.
I think I need to make me some cookies! :)
Thank you for your words and truth Tina and Churchmouse. Life isn’t fair and I’m glad it’s not because if it were, we’d all inherit death. Jesus’ death wasn’t fair and if life were fair, He wouldn’t have died for us. God thank You that your ways aren’t our ways and your thoughts aren’t our thoughts. Thank You for loving us undeserving, imperfect people.
And so we wait. We wait for God’s perfect timing—encouraged by the verses from Peter that God delays Christ’s return so that more people have a chance to come to redemption. In the face of our human plea “why do bad things happen to good people?” We come face to face with God’s unfathomable love and mercy….and while we wait, we will trust in Him.
This is such an awesome, beautiful reminder. Thanks Tina!
Another thought: instead of salivating over the idea of the wicked getting their comeuppance (while the self – righteous gleefully watch), maybe we drop to our knees and pray for them to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. We have been commissioned to share the gospel and “they” are our mission field. Isn’t heaven too glorious for us to hoard it to ourselves? Isn’t hell too horrible to wish on anyone?
I agree Churchmouse. There may be many people who I don’t care for, for one reason or another, but God saved me, why would I not want that for everyone.
I remember hearing one time, if you don’t like someone, or struggle with them for whatever reason, pray for them. Your attitude will change and you will be glorifying God in the process.
Have a great weekend!
Agreed!
Well said. And humbling.
I love this perspective so much more! Justice applies to all of us as we are all sinners. Why keep the grace of God to ourselves when we have been in that position before. Thanks churchmouse for your outlook!
Thank you, Tina and Churchmouse. I’m reminded of this scripture: “keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 CSB
https://www.bible.com/1713/heb.12.2-3.csb
He gave all for us! I heard one of our pastors talk about this scripture before Communion. “For the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross” How can our minds comprehend that thinking and that amazing love? Jesus, the most beautiful Name that I know. Let’s praise and exalt Him as we stand in awe of Him!
Without Jesus, all I’m entitled to is death. I am sinful by nature. I’m guilty. Death is my sentence. All of life is bonus compared to what I deserve. Belief in Jesus releases me from the sentence of death and gives me abundant life here and eternal life to come. My abundant life may not look like yours but I’m called to contentment not competition. My difficulties may not look like yours but I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. So… When I’m feeling “entitled” I need to get off my high horse and eat some humble pie. It’s all about Him, what He’s done, what it cost Him. It’s not about me. I get this life right when it’s less of me, more of Him.
Thank you for this!!!
Amen! I loved your statement “I am called to contentment not competition.”
❣️❣️
Thank you for sharing, beautifully said!
So real and true. It’s so hard to “right” our own heart and mind when we feel wronged, but God can! It may take time and lots of prayer – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17
Yes! Beautifully put.
I remember the card in which those words came. I remember it so so well. Out of all the cards with wonderful words of sympathy and love that one had me by the jugular…
WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE.
Had I been that bad ? Was I being punished? Oh, the questions I asked, because of that sentence!!!
Here’s the thing… (and it can only be because God has been working in me to see things differently)…
Does being good exempt me from pain? Does being good get me ALL things good? Does being good buy me a life that only has good in it? Does being good entitle me to no pain or heartbreak, or bad things happening to me?
Does being good..????
Jesus, was GOOD with a capital G, and yet, look at the most horriblest thing that happened to Him… why was His goodness not enough to save Him from being accused of the things He was accused of? Why was His goodness not enough to keep Him from being beaten? To be spat on? Why was His goodness not enough to stop the nails through His hands..His feet? Piercing in His side? … Or a crown of thorns on His head? Or hang on a cross for someone else’s (my) sin?
If jesus’ good here on earth did not exempt Him from the horribleness of this broke world.. what are my chances with a not so impeccable record of good??
I DID not deserve ‘my cup ‘, nor did I earn it, or ask for it, nor did I look for it… it came and happened anyway…a ‘gift’ from this broken world!
Jesus did not ask for the suffering, in fact as we know He pleaded it be removed… but here’s the thing..
But God..
Jesus knew it was coming. He knew the purpose to/for which it would serve. To fulfill a purpose. He knew. He knew and He still walked into that nightmare.. He still took the beating.. my God He still took the nails in the hands, not to mention the feet..
Bad things do happen to good people..
And good things happen to bad people..
But God..
His Son died for ALL. Good and bad alike, makes no sense to one who perhaps does not know God, or even one who does, but the scriptures and the truth of it is that…’the blessing of rain falls on ALL..
God cares for ALL. He loves ALL. HE DIED FOR ALL.
All He asks in return is a relationship with Him. To trust in Him. Hope in Him and know His righteous character..
He will see all right according to His will.
He is God.
He is Good.
He is faithful.
He has the whole world, good and bad… in His hands… He will do what is right in all situations.. He gas promised.
Hold in fast to Him who knows all, and that whatever befalls me I need only look to Him. He will not fail me..
Amen.
Sorry for missive today..
Happy Friday.. blessed weekend with love always.. xxx
Amen! But G-d! The turning point in the lament, remembering what He has done and has promised. What a different outlook we have when we turn from our pity party of our circumstances and remember. But G-d…
Amen!
Amen!
Amen!!
Amen!