JOB AND HIS GOD PROBLEM 2

March 8, 2026

Last week we started discussing the book of Job and how God allows hardships in our lives. God assumes we will come through difficult circumstances but only with His help. When we manage to get through problems we are challenged to help others do the same. This week we will discuss Job in terms of his friends, “the 3 amigos.” They have a transactional view of God and try to convince Job that if he were truly righteous, then God would not be punishing him. That he must have done something egregious and, furthermore, that his denials are evidence of his guilt. This is a transactional view of the relationship of man with God and is not Biblical or even logical. These arguments are not relevant (remember we do not necessarily get an answer to “why”) to the actual issue (extent of faith) but they also are personal attacks. By v. 20, Job is thoroughly depressed and hopeless and he begins to paint God as arbitrary and not just. In chapters 32-36, Elihu calls out the incorrect arguments of the 3 amigos with reason and passion. Elihu states that God works on us so that we can improve in His eyes and see salvation. Elihu further questions Job with tough love, saying basically, “who is going to do the justice? You, Job?” (34:17-20). He calls out Job and says, “you did not sin in getting into this situation but you are sinning now by questioning God’s justice.” Elihu argues from the standpoint that God is good, right, just, and loving, ALWAYS. By the end of the conversation with God (chapters 38-42), Job’s faith and understanding of the Lord is stronger and deeper