When Christians go through suffering, many doubt either the goodness of God or the power of God. The book of Job affirms both the sovereignty of God and the love of God. But if God is good and powerful, why is there so much suffering in the world? The book of Job does not really answer why there is suffering, but it does give us a clue to the purpose of suffering for God’s children. The clues are found in the last and the first chapter. After God appears, Job says “I have heard of you…but now my eye sees you.” After the suffering, Job gets to see and know God more. Job is satisfied to see God Himself. There is our clue. In the first chapter, Satan says “does Job fear God for nothing? If you take away all that you have given him, he will curse you to your face.” But even when Job’s health was taken away with the rest, Job still did not sin against God. God allowed Satan to test Job because God wanted to see if Job would love God for who God is and not for blessings God has given him. And that is what suffering can do for God’s children. God can use suffering to bring us closer to God and love God for Himself alone.
The story of Job also points to Jesus Christ. Job suffered though he was innocent. Job longed for a mediator who could plead his innocence before God whom Job could not approach. Job was restored after sacrifices and prayer was offered for his friends. Jesus is the mediator from heaven who will suffer innocently for others. Jesus will restore the fallen world through his own sacrifice and intercession.