THE poetical part of this book of Job begins with chapter 3 and goes on to chapter 42:6. In this great drama we have Job in controversy with his three friends, who insist that God does not permit a righteous man to suffer, but that affliction is the portion of the wicked only; therefore Job’s case implies that God is dealing with him because of some sin or sins, open or secret, which the patriarch cannot or will not acknowledge. When the friends fail to convince him of wickedness, Elihu appears “to speak on God’s behalf” and shows that suffering is not necessarily punishment for sins actually committed, but may often be chastening or discipline in order to bring man to a deeper realization of his own impotence, as also to emphasize man’s littleness and ignorance and to magnify the greatness and wisdom of God. This the Lord Himself enlarges upon when He speaks to Job out of the storm, with the result that the heart of the sufferer is bowed in reverence and repentance before Him.
During all the perplexing experiences, Job maintains his faith in God and has absolute assurance that some day all will be made clear. Meantime he can say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,” for he has a sure hope of resurrection when he shall, in his flesh, see God and all will be made plain.
“I know that, though He may remove
The friends on whom I lean,
‘Tis that I thus may learn to love
And trust the One unseen.
And when at last I see His face
And know as I am known,
I will not care how rough the road
That led me to my home.”
—Grace Troy.