March 21, 2024

Why does life matter if we're just going to die anyway?

Job 14

Yvette Smith
Thursday's Devo

March 21, 2024

Thursday's Devo

March 21, 2024

Thursday's Devo

March 21, 2024

Thursday's Devo

March 21, 2024

Big Book Idea

God is at work even when we can't see it.

Key Verse | Job 14:1-2

Man who is born of a woman
is few of days and full of trouble.
He comes out like a flower and withers;
he flees like a shadow and continues not.

Job 14

Job Continues: Death Comes Soon to All

1  Man who is born of a woman
    is few of days and full of trouble.
2  He comes out like a flower and withers;
    he flees like a shadow and continues not.
3  And do you open your eyes on such a one
    and bring me into judgment with you?
4  Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
    There is not one.
5  Since his days are determined,
    and the number of his months is with you,
    and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,
6  look away from him and leave him alone, 1 14:6 Probable reading; Hebrew look away from him, that he may cease
    that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day.

7  For there is hope for a tree,
    if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
    and that its shoots will not cease.
8  Though its root grow old in the earth,
    and its stump die in the soil,
9  yet at the scent of water it will bud
    and put out branches like a young plant.
10  But a man dies and is laid low;
    man breathes his last, and where is he?
11  As waters fail from a lake
    and a river wastes away and dries up,
12  so a man lies down and rises not again;
    till the heavens are no more he will not awake
    or be roused out of his sleep.
13  Oh that you would hide me in Sheol,
    that you would conceal me until your wrath be past,
    that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14  If a man dies, shall he live again?
    All the days of my service I would wait,
    till my renewal 2 14:14 Or relief should come.
15  You would call, and I would answer you;
    you would long for the work of your hands.
16  For then you would number my steps;
    you would not keep watch over my sin;
17  my transgression would be sealed up in a bag,
    and you would cover over my iniquity.

18  But the mountain falls and crumbles away,
    and the rock is removed from its place;
19  the waters wear away the stones;
    the torrents wash away the soil of the earth;
    so you destroy the hope of man.
20  You prevail forever against him, and he passes;
    you change his countenance, and send him away.
21  His sons come to honor, and he does not know it;
    they are brought low, and he perceives it not.
22  He feels only the pain of his own body,
    and he mourns only for himself.”

Footnotes

[1] 14:6 Probable reading; Hebrew look away from him, that he may cease
[2] 14:14 Or relief
Table of Contents
Introduction to Job

Introduction to Job

Timeline

Author and Date

The unknown Israelite author of this book presents Job as a person living in Uz (see note on 1:1). Job’s godliness (1:1) matches the ideals of Israelite wisdom literature. He clearly knows Yahweh (1:21). The events of the book seem to be set in the times of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

Theological Themes

The book of Job concerns itself with the question of faith in a sovereign God. Can God be trusted? Is he good and just in his rule of the world? The book shows that the reasons for human suffering often remain a secret to human beings.

In the book of Job, God seems both too close and too far away. On the one hand, Job complains that God is watching him every moment so that he cannot even swallow his spit (7:19). On the other hand, Job finds God elusive (9:11). Though God is greatly concerned about humans, he does not always answer their most agonizing questions.

At the same time, Job’s friends offer no real help. They come to “comfort” him (2:11), but Job ends up declaring them “miserable comforters” who would console him “with empty nothings” (21:34). These friends represent an oversimplified view of faith. They think that all human troubles are divine punishments for wrongdoing. Their “comfort” consists largely of urging Job to identify his sin and repent of it. These friends are negative examples of how to comfort those who are suffering.

The book illustrates that one does not need to fully understand God’s will in order to be faithful while suffering. Those who suffer need not be afraid to express to God their confusion and questions.

Purpose

The book of Job was written to those who struggle with the question of how God can be good when the world is filled with suffering.

The author does not provide a formal defense of God’s justice. Rather, as Job’s friends offer their inadequate answers, the author shows how their reasoning fails. Then, in chs. 38–41, the Lord speaks in his own defense, bringing Job to fuller understanding (ch. 42).

Even during his suffering and confusion, before God finally speaks, Job can triumphantly declare, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (19:25).

Outline

  1. Prologue: Job’s Character and the Circumstances of His Test (1:1–2:13)
  2. Dialogue: Job, His Suffering, and His Standing before God (3:1–42:6)
    1. Job: despair for the day of his birth (3:1–26)
    2. The friends and Job: can Job be right before God? (4:1–25:6)
      1. First cycle (4:1–14:22)
      2. Second cycle (15:1–21:34)
      3. Third cycle (22:1–25:6)
    3. Job: the power of God, place of wisdom, and path of integrity (26:1–31:40)
    4. Elihu: suffering as a discipline (32:1–37:24)
    5. Challenge: the Lord answers Job (38:1–42:6)
  3. Epilogue: The Vindication, Intercession, and Restoration of Job (42:7–17)
The Global Message of Job

The Global Message of Job

Universal Questions

With its story of one man’s life and suffering, the book of Job raises universal questions. Why do people suffer, especially godly people? Where is God in suffering? Can God be trusted amid suffering? Job’s friends try to answer such questions with superficial and simplistic solutions, eventually earning God’s rebuke (Job 42:7–9).

Ultimately we learn from Job that we can hope steadfastly in our sovereign God. Instead of providing easy answers to hard questions, this incomparably glorious, all-knowing, and almighty God presents to people in all places and in all times the simplest, most powerful, and most universal answer to these questions. God’s answer to human suffering has everything to do with his own infinite goodness and care for his creation.

Suffering in a Fallen World

In the life of Job we see the breadth and depth of human suffering. We see suffering in health (Job 2:7), suffering in the loss of property (1:14–17), and suffering in the tragic death of family members (1:18–19). In Job we also listen in on a discussion in the heavenly courtroom between God and Satan (1:6–12; 2:1–7), in which God delights in the upright life of Job. There we are given a window into the normally invisible reasons for our trials and suffering.

Sin and suffering. Suffering is universal, though the kind of suffering differs from circumstance to circumstance. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin. There is no such thing as sin without consequences. Sometimes God himself directly chastises his people for their sins. However, Job’s friends are wrong to assume that his suffering is a direct result of disobedience (Job 8:4), and it would likewise be wrong to conclude that all or even most suffering in the world today is divine punishment for specific sins. The speeches of Eliphaz (chs. 4; 5; 15; 22), Bildad (chs. 8; 18; 25), and Zophar (chs. 11; 20) reflect such wrong assumptions.

Common suffering. Another type of suffering is what we might call “common suffering.” This is suffering that affects all people without distinction. It is simply the result of living in a fallen world. It includes health problems from colds to cancer. It includes bad weather, earthquakes, and typhoons. It includes financial struggles, and even death itself. Each tragic incident in Job’s life includes an element of this common suffering.

Godliness and suffering. Not only are godly people afflicted with suffering just as others are, but the godly experience some kinds of suffering due specifically to their godliness (Matt. 10:24–33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12). Faithfulness to Christ will bring insult and at times persecution—suffering that could be avoided if we were not disciples of Christ. We see this principle in Job, for it was precisely Job’s uprightness that prompted God to single him out to Satan and then led Satan to seek to afflict him (Job 1:8–12).

Devastating suffering. Job’s suffering is uniquely profound and painful. Some suffering, we learn, defies any category. We discover in Job that Satan has a hand in some of the suffering of God’s people (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7; compare 2 Cor. 12:1–10). But even such demonically instigated suffering is not outside of God’s sovereignty. Nor should our focus be on Satan when we suffer but rather on persisting in steadfast faith amid such God-ordained pain. At the very least a lesson to be learned from Job is that our vision and insight into suffering is severely limited. What is not limited, however, is God’s perfect understanding and sovereign control over every event in our lives. In the “Yahweh speeches” of Job (chs. 38–41), God does not engage Job in the details of his questions and complaints. Rather, God reminds Job that God is God and Job is not. God laid the foundation of the earth (38:4); he is God over the seas (38:8, 16), over the stars (38:31–33), and over every creature (39:1–30; 40:15–41:34).

A Global Message of Comfort and Hope

The almighty, all-good God. Despite its focus on challenges and sufferings, the book of Job speaks a message of great hope to the world. We live in a world longing for comfort and hope, and such hope is found in the sovereign God who sees, who is good, and who is faithful. We are not victims of random fate or uncontrolled circumstances. We are loved faithfully and passionately by a sovereign God who works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). The suffering global church can take comfort amid suffering, knowing that God is pleased with our faithfulness to him, even as God expressed delight in “my servant Job” (Job 1:6–8; 2:3). James 5:11 reminds us that God will fulfill his good purposes and is indeed compassionate and merciful toward his people.

No neat formulas. Living an upright life of faith in God does not exempt us from suffering. This was the fundamental misunderstanding of Job’s friends (Job 8:6) and the reason that their “comfort” was so “miserable” (16:2). Indeed, in Job and in all of Scripture we see that suffering is a part of the experience of godly people, and that suffering is also a means for our sanctification. Suffering is a blessing as through it we learn that God’s ways and purposes are much greater than we can know (chs. 40–41). His purposes and faithfulness are much greater than the achievement of ease and a comfortable life; the global church must not make an idol out of worldly comfort and earthly abundance.

The sufferings of the Savior. Job confessed faith in the living Redeemer (Job 19:25). That Redeemer would one day come and suffer for us on a cross. Here we have yet another kind of suffering, the atoning sufferings of Christ. He suffered for our salvation, bearing the penalty for our sin. It is also our great privilege to share in his suffering (2 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:13). These are not the sufferings of health problems or bad weather or the consequences of our own folly. These are sufferings that flow from our union with and loyalty to Christ. There is a global attack on the righteous, but God will continue to provide sufficient grace to his people (2 Cor. 12:9).He will grow both his people and his kingdom through such suffering as it is endured in faith.

Our Intercession and Mission of Hope

Though God’s righteous anger burned against the three friends of Job, their folly was forgiven in response to the righteous intervention of Job’s prayers (Job 42:7–9). What then is the Christian response to those who suffer—and to those who cause suffering?

We are to intercede for the world, both in prayer and in life. We are to “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). This comfort must find expression in our ministry and service to those in need both where we live as well as around the world—to orphans, widows, and all those who suffer.

This comfort is most gloriously and eternally known as the church ministers the gospel of new hope in Christ to the world—to the lost, to the downtrodden, and even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44). For the greatest suffering in this world is not the loss of property or even family; it is to be lost in sin, without the living Redeemer.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Job Fact #1: Comfort

Fact: Comfort

Comfort is a key word in the book of Job. When faced with personal tragedies, Job receives no comfort from his friends (16:2). But when God answers him (see chs. 38–41), he finds the comfort he needs.

Job Fact #7: Three cycles of conversations

Fact: Three cycles of conversations

The book of Job includes three cycles of conversations in which the friends of Job offer their comfort and advice, and then listen as Job responds. The first cycle covers chs. 4–14.

Job Fact #15: Elihu

Fact: Elihu

Elihu is the only character in the book of Job with a Hebrew name.

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar

After the Lord allowed Satan to afflict Job, three of his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to comfort him. However, all three wrongly assumed that Job’s suffering was the result of some hidden sin. Each man urged Job to repent so that God would have mercy on him. But Job insisted that he was innocent. Although it is true that some suffering is a result of sin, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar oversimplified this truth. They believed that all troubles are punishments for wrongdoing, which was not the case for Job. The wrong actions of Job’s three friends should remind believers today to be wise and sensitive when dealing with people in distress. The Lord rebuked Job’s three friends and instructed Job to pray for them. (Job 42:7–9)

Study Notes

Job 14:4–5 No mortal can work outside the limits that God has set.

Study Notes

Job 14:7–14 Job laments the limits of mortality by contrasting the consequences of cutting down a tree (vv. 7–9) and the death of a man (vv. 10–14). There is hope (v. 7) for a tree: even if root and stump decay (v. 8), it may still grow again (v. 9). However, when a man dies, his life on earth is finished (see vv. 10, 12, 14).

Study Notes

Job 4:1–14:22 First Cycle. Eliphaz begins this round of dialogues with a fairly gentle tone (4:3–4). Sympathy for Job rapidly fades, however, as the friends assume that Job’s moral failures are the reason for his present trouble. Job, for his part, is bewildered by his suffering. He argues (chs. 6–7), disputes (chs. 9–10), and rejects (chs. 12–14) the counsel of his friends.

Job 12:1–14:22 In the longest response of the dialogues with his three friends, Job shows his growing frustration with their claims of wisdom (even though he agrees with them about God’s supreme power; 12:1–13:2) and with the conclusions they have drawn (13:3–19). Then, once again, he addresses his lamentation directly to God (13:20–14:22).

Job 13:28–14:22 As his lament before God continues, Job moves from referring primarily to his own situation (13:20–27) to focusing on the nature of life for all people.

Job 14:15–22 Job longs for a renewal in which God would secure his path and forgive his sin (vv. 15–17). But he concludes that just as the elements wash away rock and soil, so God will wear down a man over the course of his life (vv. 18–22). God can remove the hope of man through the persistent eroding effect of suffering.

S3:059 Job 14

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Job 14

I am not a fan of roller coasters. Reading Job 14 was like a roller-coaster ride of despair and glimpses of hope. We know that Job was faithful, and God even called him righteous. But something is missing.

Job's lament to God in Job 14:1-2 shows his focus is on mortality—man born of woman—and not God's grace. Our lives will be filled with trouble and end in death. It is easy to think, "If I am going to die, what does it matter if I live faithfully or not?" Our lives matter to God. We are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-28), giving value and dignity to our lives despite our circumstances. Born of sinful nature, our lives will be filled with trouble (John 16:33) and end in death (Romans 6:23).

Left to ponder God's silence to Job's pleas, we see a glimmer of hope with two questions Job considers: "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" (Job 14:4a); and "If a man dies, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14a) By the grace of God, Jesus is the answer to these questions. By faith in Christ's work accomplished on the cross and His resurrection, we are washed clean, given new birth in Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit to counsel, encourage, and strengthen us. Our relationship with a Holy God is restored, and we live in the hope of spending eternity with Him (John 11:25-26).

Job returns to hope and despair. It's unfortunate neither Job nor his friends had the good news. We do not have to ride the roller coaster of hope and despair when it seems God is silent in our suffering. In our humanity, it's possible to ask: "Why does life matter if we are just going to die anyway?" The resounding answer of Scripture is—because Jesus gave His life for all men. C.S. Lewis uses the analogy of pain as God's megaphone. The cross screams that God loves us and our lives matter to God. We are simply a man born of a woman without Christ. You and I can live in hope, anchored in Jesus' death and resurrection!

This month's memory verse

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

– Romans 5:8

Discussion Questions

1. What do you do when God is silent to your pleas for help, healing, or reprieve from troubles? What Scriptures help remind you that you are loved and that God hears your prayers?

2. Who do you know that could use your encouragement and hope to endure their suffering?

3. If you are currently in a moment in which you are questioning why your life matters, reach out to your community, a trusted friend who knows God's Word, or any of the recovery ministries Watermark offers, such as re:generation.

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

SF

Shawn Foster

Good to see you Yvette! When God seems silent, I wait upon the Lord and cling to scriptures, often times in the Psalms. . “The Lord is near the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 34:10 And I can testify that is true. In addition, I reflect on God’s proven track record in my life and in scripture. He’s redeemed my life and emotions from the pit too many times to remember- so, as you know- I keep a journal. That’s the least I could do for the one who paid it all. All to him I owe!!! He has never, ever left me. As the song says He is faithful even when I am not. Another thing that I do if God seems silent is listen to worship music. Shout of Thanks here to Watermark music. I love it! Also, Thank you Yvette for leading by example in service to so many. We love you and Bill and praise God for you sharing your very lives with us!
WP

WYMAN POE

1 of Job's complants is that his friends do not offer any comfort to him in his misery, only trying to lay blame for the position Job is in at Jobs feet. Now he has to defend himself, while suffering and mourning and wishing his life would end, to these friends, even to his wife. Looks like zero comfort to me. So this morning I want to offer comfort to PRAVEEN RAJ G , who yesterday posted comments expressing an extended period of trial and trouble for him and his wife. I want to encourage you to hold your belief in our Father and our Rabbi, Lord Jesus. I encourage you to pray for the Holy Spirit's help because He will help. Don't wait until you do everything YOU can brfore you ask Him, like my nature wants me to do. I read with so much respect for SUE BOHLIN who has endured so many trials in her life, and praises God, trust Jesus and relies on the Holy Spirit. Thank you Sue. And thank you YVETTE SMITH for your devo this morning, and your intro in Spanish. I got to brush off some of my Spanish rust this morning.
GJ

greg jones

Good morning Yvette great devotional. This resonated with me this morning. “Job returns to hope and despair. It's unfortunate neither Job nor his friends had the good news. We do not have to ride the roller coaster of hope and despair when it seems God is silent in our suffering. In our humanity, it's possible to ask: ‘Why does life matter if we are just going to die anyway?’” Great observation. The good news that Job nor his friends does come much later in the overall narrative of our Bible. (We are a long way away from anyone calling God Abba, Father in Job.) One of the things that I appreciate most about the book of Job is that it attaches a great value in being in a place that causes you to ask the why does life matter if we are just going to die anyway question. Job is there. His friends are not. As far as an evolution in the revelation of God’s character Job is farther from the God of don’t look at me and don’t touch my mountain in Exodus 19. And closer to God as revealed through Jesus the anointed Christ. Without experiencing what Job has experienced it would seem that the mount Sinai revelation of God is their greatest obstacle in understanding why Job can’t just agree with them. For Job he “didn’t look at God or touch his mountain”. But still got what God said might happen to those who did. But he’s closer to God than his accusers, or his satans, to use the Hebrew word, who insist he must be guilty of something to merit his situation. In heaven satan and God are face to face. On earth Job wants a face to face meeting with God. On earth his accusers metaphorically have their backs God. But why would they not considering what was written less any experience to cause them to question what was written? Again, great dive this morning. Thank you.
MS

Michael Scaman

Man born of a woman destined for trouble is a cycle broken by the second Adam, Jesus Ps 116:16 Precious isn the sight of the Lord is the death of His servants. I am your servant the son of your maidservant CS Lewis who wrote on "The problem of pain" might answer Job saying "In the tumult of life's trials, let us hold fast to the truth: 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His servants' (Psalm 116:15). Our fleeting days are filled with trouble (Job 14:1), yet in the midst of our struggles, we find solace in the promise that 'God will not turn from doing us good' (Jeremiah 32:40). Through the lens of faith, we perceive a deeper purpose in our suffering, for it molds us into the image of Christ (Job 14:13-14). Like a flower that withers and a shadow that fades, our earthly existence is transient (Job 14:2). But through the second Adam, Jesus Christ, our sorrows find meaning and our hope is secured (Job 14:14). Though our journey may be fraught with pain, our joy in Him is eternal. So let us endure with steadfast faith, knowing that beyond the trials of this life lies the promise of everlasting joy and renewal." Life may be fleeting but Isaiah tells us "The grass withers and the flower fades but the word of the Lord lasts forever" and James adds "This is the word preached to you".
PG

Praveen Raj G

What am I doing when I feel God is silent? Nothing simply nothing but to pray and hope that one day God will do miracles. And I am finding other believers, spending time in reading, praying this is what I think I should do. If I do not have this consistent relationship with God and believers I'm sure I would have made really bad decision. I would like to thank you Wyman for praying for me and my family. I did not thought that someone is praying for us. Thank you all for encouraging words and pls continue to pray!
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Yvette, for your devo. And bless you, Wyman, for the shout out! I am honored! Poor Job, trying to make sense of apparent senselessness. He had SO little revelation to go on, just a basic awareness that yes, there is an afterlife--everybody goes to Sheol, the place of the dead. That's all he had to work with. Kind of like watching Wheel of Fortune where the puzzle board shows a long saying with lots of blanks, and all you get is a couple of Rs. Thank You, Lord, for revealing SO MUCH MORE to us since Job's day! Thank You for the reassurance that everyone will receive a new body for all eternity, where people will either be separated from You forever in hell or gloriously enjoying Your presence in heaven. Thank You for revealing to us glimpses of the new heavens and the new earth where our earthly bodies couldn't contain all the joy that awaits us who have trusted in Jesus. Thank You for a whole Bible that shows us over and over Your goodness, which Job couldn't see like we can. Thank You, Lord, that answers (like the ones Job sought so fiercely) will come eventually . . . and for giving us waiting grace until that day comes.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. I ask a knowledgeable believer for help. John 3:16 is a good reminder of God’s love, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. 2. My parents could use encouragement and hope in their current suffering because my father’s Spring meetings are on schedule but were relocated abruptly. This affects who my father will work with and the objectives he will cover. 3. God helps each of us know we can value ourselves and be valued by others. Yvette - Thank you for sharing your ideas. “Our lives matter to God. We are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-28), giving value and dignity to our lives despite our circumstances”, is an excellent point. We should all consider these ideas are true for everyone.