Over the years, Job 38-42:6 has been one of my favorite sections of Scripture. Job, without a doubt, has experienced exceptional suffering. He has understandably sought answers and understanding in the midst of his suffering. Throughout the book, Job has engaged with his unhelpful friends and has pleaded with God for a hearing and answers. When we reach chapter 38 the book climaxes as God finally speaks. Yet, the answer Job receives is not what anyone would have expected.

Job isn’t told the information that the reader knows from chapters 1-2, that Job is suffering because he is righteous and his suffering glorifies God because it shows that God’s people love God for who He is and not just what He gives. No, Job isn’t told why God has allowed him to suffer.  In fact, the answer Job is given is a “who” instead of a “why.” God’s answer to Job’s suffering is Himself, and that revelation was sufficient for Job. Below are some comments and commentary on Job 38-42:6 from pastors and theologians I have collected over the years.

R.C. Sproul wrote:

(Job) cried out for answers, and God said that He would answer Job’s questions. But the answers never came forth. To be sure, there was a condition attached to the promise of answers: Job was required to answer first. But Job flunked his exam. God then gave no answers.

Yet Job was satisfied. Even though God gave no answers, Job’s questions were put to rest. He received a higher answer than any direct reply could have provided. God answered Job’s questions not with words but with Himself. As soon as Job saw who God is, Job was satisfied. Seeing the manifestation of God was all that he needed. He was able to leave the details in God’s hands. Once God Himself was no longer shrouded in mystery, Job was able to live comfortably with a few unanswered questions. When God appeared, Job was so busy repenting that he did not have time for further challenges. (The Holiness of God, pg. 143)

Carson reflects:

Job teaches us that, at least in this world, there will always remain some mysteries to suffering. He also teaches us to exercise faith—not blind, thoughtless submission to an impersonal status quo, but faith in the God who has graciously revealed himself to us. (How Long, O Lord? pg. 153)

David VanDrunen commented:

God never gives Job an alternative explanation for why a given person suffers in the way that he does, but instead he reminds Job how great he himself is and how small Job is (Job 38-41). In other words, he showcases the limits of human understanding before the immense wisdom and power of God…Just because we do not know the answers to everything does not mean that God does not know them. (Bioethics and the Christian Life, pg. 64)

Tim Keller wrote:

The book of Job rightly points to human unworthiness and finitude, and calls for complete surrender to the sovereignty of God. But taken by itself the call might seem more than the sufferer could bear. Then the New Testament comes filled with an unimaginable comfort for those who are trusting in God’s sovereignty. The sovereign God himself has come down into this world and has experienced its darkness. He has personally drunk the cup of its suffering down to the dregs. And he did it not to justify himself but to justify us, that is, to bear the suffering, death, and curse for sin that we have earned. He takes the punishment upon himself so that someday he can return and end all evil without having to condemn and punish us. 

The truth of the Gospel is a great, “unimaginable comfort” indeed! Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean we will understand everything in our present circumstances. Keller proceeds:

If God actually provided an explanation of all the reasons why he allows things to happen as they do, it would be too much for our finite brains. Think of little children and their relationship to their parents. Three-year-olds cannot understand most of why their parents allow and disallow what they do. But though they aren’t capable of comprehending their parents’ reasons, they are capable of knowing their parents’ love and therefore are capable of trusting them and living securely. That is what they really need. Now, the difference between God and human beings is infinitely greater than the difference between a thirty-year-old parent and a three-year-old child. So we should not expect to be able to grasp all God’s purposes, but through the cross and gospel of Jesus Christ, we can know his love. And that is what we need most. (Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering, pgs. 119-122)

In reading these comments, I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:6-7. Everyone loves verse 7 which calls us to cast all our cares on the Lord. However, often we forget that verse 6 calls us to humble ourselves under His mighty hand. Therefore, we are to recognize God’s greatness as Job did and humbly submit to Him as we entrust all our cares to Him. The last part of verse 7 is very comforting, this great and mighty God “cares for you.”

Written by Matt Baker