We are going to find out that the answer is ‘no’, as God shows us clearly in the Book of Job.
It is considered to be one of the oldest books in the Bible. Job lived in about the time Abraham received his covenant with God, but before the Mosaic Law was given. There was no nation of Israel yet.
The language Job was written in, was an ancient Aramaic that places him at about 2400 B.C. in the land of UZ, (considered to be modern-day Syria.
Let’s meet the man:
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God [with reverence] and abstained from and turned away from evil [because he honored God]. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. He also possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke (pairs) of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great number of servants, so that this man was the greatest [and wealthiest and most respected] of all the men of the east (northern Arabia). His sons used to go [in turn] and feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send word and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send [for them] and consecrate them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this at all [such] times. Job 1:1 – 5. AMP
Job was in right-standing with God, (as righteous as humanly possible, but not sinless. Only Christ wore than mantle.) The father of ten children. A man of extraordinary wealth. Furthermore, he consecrated his sons with continual burnt offerings to atone for any sins they may have committed.
And certainly, blessed for doing so. Now, the narrative shifts to the very throne room of God Himself:
Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.” Job. 1:6, 7. AMP
We know Satan was an angel gone bad, but he would not declare war against God for some time yet. And we see that he has full access to the earth.
Jehovah speaks to him:
The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God].” Job 1:8 AMP
The devil retorts:
Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not put a hedge [of protection] around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands [and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him], and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch (destroy) all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” Job 1:9-11 AMP
Satan is attacking Job’s character, stating that Job only acts the way he does because he seeks after self-aggrandizement.
God has greater faith in Job, and He gives leeway to the devil to challenge Job, but only to a point:
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself.” Job 1:12 AMP
The devil begins: Enemies came and stole some animal stock, killing the servants who were watching them. Lightning struck the sheep and the servants attending them. Another enemy raid purloined the camels and killed the attendants as well.
All of this is reported to Job, but what brought him the most grief is when it was reported to him that a great wind came and collapsed the house his children were in, killing them all.
Job responds:
Then Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head [in mourning for the children], and he fell to the ground and worshiped [God]. He said, “Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20 – 22 AMP
Satan approaches God again, and God repeats the righteousness of Job, and how he did not curse his Creator even in the face of the devil’s attack. Satan counters again:
“Skin for skin! Yes, a man will give all he has for his life. But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh [and severely afflict him]; and he will curse You to Your face.”
So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.” Job 2:4 – 6. AMP
The devil covers Job’s entire body with agonizing boils. Job responds by scraping himself with a piece of pottery in a heap of ashes. His wife approaches and reprimands him:
“Do you still cling to your integrity [and your faith and trust in God, without blaming Him]? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 AMP
Job responds:
“You speak as one of the [spiritually] foolish women speaks [ignorant and oblivious to God’s will]. Shall we indeed accept [only] good from God and not [also] accept adversity and disaster?” In [spite of] all this Job did not sin with [words from] his lips. Job 2:10 AMP
Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, hear of his plight and came to see him, shocked by his condition, and sat with him for seven days and nights, without speaking a word.
After this, Job cursed the day he was born:
Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden, whom God has hedged in? I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water. For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. I cannot relax or be calm;
I have no rest, for turmoil has come. Job 3:23 – 26. CSB
Eliphaz breaks the silence by inferring that Job has some kind of hidden sins:
“…adversity comes upon you, and you are impatient and intolerant; it touches you, and you are horrified.”
“Is not your fear of God your confidence, and [is not] the integrity and uprightness of your ways your hope?” Job 4:5, 6. AMP
“Behold, how happy and fortunate is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise or reject the discipline of the Almighty [subjecting you to trial and suffering].
“For He inflicts pain, but He binds up and gives relief; he wounds, but His hands also heal.” Job 5:17, 18. AMP
Job responds, basically saying his friends are not being helpful:
“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; so that he does not abandon (turn away from) the fear of the Almighty.
“My brothers have acted deceitfully like a brook, like the torrents of brooks that vanish…” Job 6:14 – 16. AMP
Now Bildad jumps into the fray:
“If you would [diligently] seek God and implore the compassion and favor of the Almighty, then, if you are pure and upright, surely now He will awaken for you and restore your righteous place.” Job 8:5, 6. AMP
Basically saying, if you get you act together (indicating that it wasn’t), he would be restored.
Job applies a little theology to press his case, (and to educate his ‘friends’):
“Yes, I know it is true. But how can a mortal man be right before God? “If one should want to contend or dispute with Him, he could not answer Him once in a thousand times. God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?” Job 9:2 – 4. AMP
“Behold, He snatches away; who can restrain or turn Him back? Who will say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’”. Job 9:12 AMP
I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent and Judge. Job 9:15 AMP
“For God is not a [mere] man, as I am, that I may answer Him, that we may go to court and judgment together. “There is no arbitrator between us, who could lay his hand upon us both [would that there were].” Job 9:32, 33. AMP
Now, Zophar has to put his two cents in:
“Shall a multitude of words not be answered? And should a talkative man [making such a long-winded defense] be acquitted?” Job 11:2 AMP
“But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips [to speak] against you, and [that He would] show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God forgets a part of your wickedness and guilt. Job 11:5, 6. AMP
“If you direct your heart [on the right path] and stretch out your hands to Him, if sin is in your hand, put it far away [from you], and do not let wrongdoing dwell in your tents; then, indeed, you could lift up your face [to Him] without moral defect,
And you would be firmly established and secure and not fear. Job 11:13 – 15. AMP
Job pushes back against all three friends:
“No doubt you are the [only wise] people [in the world], and wisdom will die with you!” Job 12:1 AMP
“He who is at ease has contempt for misfortune, but misfortune is ready [and anxiously waiting] for those whose feet slip. Job 12:5 AMP
“But you smear me with lies [you defame my character most untruthfully]; you are all worthless physicians and have no remedy to offer. “Oh, that you would be completely silent, and that silence would be your wisdom! Job 13:4, 5. AMP
Job returns to a little theology:
You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for [me] the work of Your hands. “But now You number [each of] my steps; You do not observe nor take note of my sin. My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover my wickedness [from Your view]. Job 14:15 – 17. AMP
Eliphaz wades in for another round of accusations against Job:
“Should a wise man [such as you] utter such windy and vain knowledge [as we have just heard] and fill himself with the east wind [of withering, parching, and violent accusations]?” Job 15:2 AMP
“For your guilt teaches your mouth, and you choose [to speak] the language of the crafty and cunning. Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; yes, your own lips testify against you.” Job 15:5, 6. AMP
Job pushes back again at his ‘friends’:
“I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all.
“Is there no end to [your futile] words of wind? Or what plagues you [so much] that you [so boldly] answer [me like this]? Job 16:2, 3. AMP
Then he switches to make a plea to heaven:
“Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and my Advocate [who vouches and testifies for me] is on high.” Job 16:19 AMP
But he vacillates in his sorrow for his present state:
“But He has made me a byword and mockery among the people, and I have become one in whose face people spit.” Job 17:6 AMP
Bildad again joins in the fray:
“How long will you hunt for words and continue these speeches? Do some clear thinking and show understanding and then we can talk. “Why are we regarded as beasts, as if [we are] stupid (senseless) in your eyes? Job 18:2, 3. AMP
Job gives it right back:
“How long will you torment and exasperate me and crush me with words? These ten times you have insulted me; you are not ashamed to wrong me [and harden your hearts against me].” Job 19:2, 3. AMP
Again, Job’s hope lies heavenward:
“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at the last He will take His stand upon the earth. Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God… Job 19:25, 26. AMP
Then Zophar jumps in to get his second round:
“I must reply because I am greatly disturbed. I’ve had to endure your insults, but now my spirit prompts me to reply.” Job 20:2, 3. NLT
Job Responds:
“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me. Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me. My complaint is with God, not with people.” Job 21:2 – 4. NLT
…the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished. Job 21:
Job is pondering why some of the wicked seem to get away with what they do. Sometimes, don’t we all wonder about that?
Eliphaz comes in with a third punch:
“Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you. Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—so clean up your life.” Job 22:21 – 23. NLT
Job responds to Eliphaz:
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would he use his great power to argue with me?
No, he would give me a fair hearing. Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.” Job 23:2 – 7. NLT
And Job makes his final position firm:
“I vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights, by the Almighty who has embittered my soul—As long as I live, while I have breath from God, my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies.
I will never concede that you are right; I will defend my integrity until I die.I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live. Job 27:2 – 6. NLT
Job’s three friends stopped talking because Job steadfastly stood by his own innocence. And we now learn that there was a younger friend, Elihu who was listening in, hoping he’d hear some wisdom from his elders and decided he did not. Elihu speaks:
Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. Job 32:9, 10. NLT
“…not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments.” Job 32:12 NLT
Elihu turns to Job and talks about the power of prayer:
Yes, God does these things again and again for people. He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. Job 33:29, 30. NLT
But then he takes umbrage with Job for saying that he was sinless. We know that is impossible for anyone, and they don’ get away with it:
“For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.” Job 34:21 NLT
“…it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.You say you can’t see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait.” Job 35:13, 14. NLT
If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, he shows them the reason. He shows them their sins of pride. He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil. If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. Job 36:8 – 11. NLT
But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity. God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food. But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. Job 36:15 – 17. NLT
At that moment a whirlwind approaches, and God’s voice thunders forth towards Job:
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” Job 38:2, 3. NLT
At this point, God drills into Job, asking him if he was present when He laid the foundation of the world, who bound the seas, clouded the earth, made the dawn rise in the east, or had he seen the springs that feed the oceans, His storehouses of snow and hail, how He created rain and lightning, and how He grows the grass.
Can Job determine the movement of the stars, the laws of the universe, who gives intuition to the heart, and instinct to the mind and who feeds the birds.
Then God’s voice is thrust at Job once more:
“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Job 40:2 NLT
Job replies humbly:
“I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand.I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” Job 40:4, 5. NLT
Jehovah throws another loaded question to Job:
“Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?” Job 40:8 NLT
“…who then can stand up to me? Who has given me anything that I need to pay back?
Everything under heaven is mine. Job 41:10, 11. NLT
Job answers God:
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
“You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ “It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.
You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:2 – 6. NLT
And this was the whole point! God used Satan’s assault, to bring Job to a place of suffering, so that his pride would be cast aside, and he would be ready to see the awesome truth and glory of His Maker, and have a much different relationship.
Suffering yes, but not because of sin or retribution…
Jehovah cast his ire over Job’s three friends because they did not depict Him accurately to Job in their critical discourse. And He ordered them to bring burnt offerings to Job to atone for their wrongdoing. Then he said he would have Job pray over them. And check this out:
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.
So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. Job 42:10 – 12. NLT
He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. Job 42:13 NLT
Amen.
Stay tuned for the coming of the Messiah!
Goodnight and God bless.