Helps one achieve a correct set of values.

• When one is suffering, the things of this world (popularity, prestige, power, prosperity) lose their appeal.

• This helps one to think more of his responsibility to God and the condition of his heart and life.Helps one to be more grateful for God’s blessings and avoid self-pity (Job 42:10).

Helps one not to despair.

• It is helpful to remember that “sometimes the darkest hours precede the brightest” (Job 42:12).
• It is interesting that the majority of the Psalms of Lamentation – which comprise about half of the 150 Psalms – end on a positive note of hope and praise.

• Many times when we get through a trial, we look back thinking “Why was I so anxious when I went through that?  Why didn’t I trust in the Lord more?  ”

• Often when we get through those valleys of suffering, we can more confidently say along with David the words of the Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23:4).

Helps to bring about repentance in those who have erred (Job 42:6).

• Look at the example of king Manasseh who lived wickedly for the majority of his life (2 Chronicles 33:10-12).

• Moses instructed that if and when the children of Israel departed from God, the suffering would help to bring them back (Deuteronomy 4:40).

Helps us to have a fuller understanding of God and His Word (Job 42:1-2; Psalm 119:67, 71).

Helps us to be better comforters of others (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Helps us reach those heights of spirituality that can only be attained through experiencing suffering (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

Helps to remind us that we are merely pilgrims and strangers in this world and that there is something better beyond this life (Job 19:25-26).

• Suffering helps us to long for Him in eternity (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11).
• There is a place where the “wicked cease from troubling” and where “the weary be at rest” (Job 3:17).

Jesus says “Let not your hearts be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – Jhn 14:1-3

-          Adapted from class on Job by Darrell Conley, OABS, 08.

Here are the puzzles for the Book of Job 34-36:

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_34 ; printable version - job_chap_34  
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_35; printable version -  job_chap_35
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_36 ; printable version - job_chap_36