I delivered this talk at a Bible College chapel service in 2026.
In the late 2000s, I taught a Bible Study at my workplace. Engineers usually make well-thought-out decisions, but I felt my co-workers’ choice against Christianity didn’t reflect that. I prepared a Bible Survey that covered Genesis through Romans in 48 one-hour lessons. It consisted of weekly readings and an in-depth section for our hour together. I gained permission from my boss to reserve a conference room every Thursday morning for a Bible Study. Then, I wrote a letter of invitation and distributed it to my co-workers. 3 Protestants, 3 Catholics, 1 Mormon, 1 Unitarian, and 3 Atheists attended. To this day, it’s my favorite Bible Study I have ever taught. Most had never studied the Bible, and they were naturally curious. They brought up sides I had never considered. They were open-minded debaters, and I found it challenging every week. Many read much more than the reading section, wanting to know more.
When we covered Job, though, the curious interest came to a crashing halt. Engineers are naturally curious and hold that the natural world’s ways are discoverable, if only you extend that curiosity into it. Job doesn’t understand why his troubles came upon him, and when God finally appears in chapter 38, we don’t get an explanation. Instead, we get a long series of questions which basically tell Job: “you hardly understand anything.” This message grated with my co-workers. Two atheists left the study; more were disturbed. The study’s curious investigative tone diminished greatly.
As you know, I memorize Bible chapters. Sometimes, I memorize entire books of the Bible, but usually, I memorize at least one chapter for every 10, not trying to show favoritism. For years, I had one glaring 42-chapter hole in that distribution: Job. The Bible Study scarred me. I didn’t really understand the book, and I’d rather memorize something I did understand.
Last year, I finally chose discipline and memorized Job 1, 19, 38, and 42. Although my understanding improved, I still have many questions. For those who want answers, the best brief explanation of Job I’ve found is here:
https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-job
Today’s talk, however, will focus on a lesson memorization forced from Job 1.
Job 1 tells us Job was blameless and upright, a man who feared God and shunned evil. A brief story of his wealth and integrity helps us believe the author’s conclusion: “He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.” (3) However, Satan claims Job fears God for the blessing. God then puts all Job’s possession in Satan’s hands. Beginning in verse 13.
“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’” (Job 1:13-19)
Before, when I only read Job, I barely contemplated these verses as I looked for the conclusion. In my head, I summarized it like this: “Bad things happened to Job.” However, memorization forced me to go through each word in agonizing detail, and it heightened the tragedy. Here, I’ve researched ancient prices. Try to put yourself in Job’s place. You’re going about your day, and suddenly, a reliable messenger arrives and says raiders stole 12% of your wealth. While he is still speaking, another messenger arrives and says God’s fire burned up 8% of your wealth. While he is still speaking, another messenger arrives and says other raiders stole 80% of your wealth. You have nothing, nothing left. And notice how this tragedy struck Job: “while he was still speaking.” There’s no time to recover after the shock of each tragedy. It’s doled out at the perfect rate to effect maximum pain. It’s as if one tragedy hits you, and drives you to your knees. Before you recover, a second tragedy hits you and drives you to all fours. Before you recover, a third tragedy hits you and drives you face-down. However, the worst is yet to come. Before you attempt recovery, you discover all 10 of your children were destroyed in a terrible accident at the eldest brother’s house. Does that get you closer to feeling Job’s immense loss? You discover in a brief time that all your wealth is gone and all your children are dead. How would you feel? What would you do?
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’” (Job 1:20-21)
Job girds himself for mourning, falls to the ground, and worships. He understands that God gives and God takes away, and yet he praises him. It’s a beautiful and amazing picture of trust in suffering.
The writer concludes the chapter with this judgment.
“In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:13-22)
In Job’s circumstances, charging God with wrongdoing certainly could have been his conclusion, but his faith was deeper; he understood God better, and knew that was a false conclusion.
I have two remarks.
First, we live in a corrupt world and suffering is part of it. Paul tells us in Romans that “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22) Do not think that the Christian life is one of only blessing. Both blessing and hardship happen, and hardship may or may not come because of sin. Although Christianity is that rock that becomes a mountain in Daniel 2, we aren’t there yet. In the meantime, we will suffer. As Paul says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.” (Philippians 1:29)
When suffering happens, analyze the cause. Sometimes it happens because of sin. If that’s the case, be grateful for the correction this side of death and repent. If the cause isn’t sin, you usually don’t know God’s reasons, just as Job didn’t. That’s hard, and I’m sorry. We’re only creatures in God’s vast creation, and he doesn’t explain all to us. Just as Job did, understand that suffering’s part of this world and be patient. You don’t have to endure it forever. Even if it lasts unto death, you will be free then.
Second, suffering reveals true character. Although Satan was wrong about one thing: he thought suffering would cause Job to curse God, he was right about another: when things go well, it’s impossible to discern how good someone is. Job’s troubles revealed his true character — one who worships regardless of the circumstances.
When suffering happens, reflect on how you responded, and adjust. Are you so weak that you discard your kindness when someone speaks cruelly to you? Perhaps you’re a little stronger and you only lose your self-control on the football pitch? Stronger still, maybe it takes a financial disaster to disown Christ? Even stronger, maybe it’s a family disaster that diverts you from the faith? When suffering happens, reflect on how you responded, understand what that reveals about your true character, and if you’re deficient, take measures to improve. Begin with an apology to God, and pray for his help in reform. Then act appropriately. Usually, you need to stop something: youtube, television watching, a bad friendship. Usually you need to start something: Bible study, prayer, fellowship. Strengthen yourself in Christ so that only death can break your resolve.