A Lesson from the School of Suffering

Job 36:15, 37:14

Today, we encounter Elihu’s final discourse found in Job chapters 35 through 37. Rather than condemning Job, he strives to shift Job’s gaze from the earth to the heavens, and from his own "grievances" to God’s "greatness."

Today, I would like to summarize and share the voice of God given through Elihu’s lips in two main points.

1. Suffering is God's Megaphone.

Look at chapter 36, verse 15. "God delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity."

This is a vital insight that penetrates the entire book of Job. We often think of suffering as "punishment." We ask, "What did I do wrong?" But Elihu says, "Job, suffering is not a penalty; it is a 'lesson'."

C.S. Lewis once said, "Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world." The still, small voice of God, which we cannot hear during times of peace, sounds like thunder in the storms of failing business or collapsing health. God sometimes uses the furnace of suffering not to destroy us, but to break the chains of pride and self-assurance that bind us.

Therefore, our prayer during suffering should not be "Why me?" but "God, what are You trying to teach me through this time? (What now?)". For Job’s suffering was not a courtroom to judge him as a sinner, but a refinery to mold him like pure gold.

2. Do Not Try to Understand, But Revere God.

As we move to chapter 37, Elihu’s voice begins to tremble. Dark clouds gather in the distance, and thunder and lightning begin to strike. Indeed, God is actually approaching in the storm (the whirlwind).

Before this overwhelming nature, Elihu throws a decisive word to Job. Chapter 37, verse 14: "Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."

"Stand still." This is the answer. Until now, Job has been running around in his grievance. He argued, shouted, and questioned. But before the majesty of God, he must stop. We cannot fully comprehend God’s will with our intellect. Just as an ant cannot understand human architectural blueprints, we, as created beings, cannot fully interpret the Creator’s providence.

The best we can do is to stop our logic (Stop doing) and gaze upon what God is doing (Start seeing). Faced with uninterpretable suffering, we must stop trying to interpret and start worshipping. That is the "Fear of God."

Job feared God coming in the storm. But we have a reason we can enter the storm without fear.

Because 2,000 years ago on the hill of Calvary, the sinless Jesus Christ bore the storm of God’s wrath in our place. Because Jesus endured the absolute darkness and the storm on the cross, the storms of life we face today are not judgments to kill us, but showers of grace to make us whole.

[Conclusion]

Let me conclude. Are you currently in a storm of suffering you cannot understand? Do you feel aggrieved because your righteousness hasn't been rewarded?

Remember Elihu’s exhortation today. Do not try to bargain with God by asserting your righteousness. Instead, "Stand still." Close your mouth that was venting grievances, and gaze upon the majesty of God who still rules the whole world even within the storm.

This present suffering is a lesson time. When this class is over, we will be molded into people who know God deeper and love God wider than before. With this faith, I bless you in the name of the Lord to wait quietly for Him even in the storm.