All Things Work For Good Revisited – Despite Suffering

Suffering Succotash, I say, Suffering Succotash
Romans 8:18 – “I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us in the future.”
The books of Job and Proverbs do not treat the subject of suffering either systematically or philosophically but do give us some insight into the Old Testament Semitic thought regarding why human beings do, indeed, suffer. These books merely present multiple perspectives on the causes of suffering and how to endure it. Because much of the early thought and writings deal with concrete situations rather than abstract forms, this issue is not treated in an intellectual manner. Rather, when suffering occurred, the writers attempted to identify the cause and purpose of the suffering. Below are some of the responses outlined in Job and Proverbs.

Why Do We Have To Experience So Much Suffering?
1. Suffering Is a Sign of Yahweh’s Wrath and Punishment for Sin in One’s Life!
Old Testament thought claimed that if one was being punished by Yahweh, it was because one had sinned against Yahweh. Jobs three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar repeatedly draw our attention to this ‘fact.’ The innocent are not singled out by Yahweh to be punished, they claim. Yahweh, however, finally corrects them, and states that this is not always the ‘fact!’ At times, He allows even the innocent to be punished or to suffer.
→ Job: acknowledges the possibility of his children having sinned (Job 1:5)
→ Job: claims he is innocent (Job 6,7,9,12, etc.)
→ Bildad: Job must be guilty. Yahweh does not pervert justice. (Job 8)
→ Zophar: Yahweh’s Wisdom and call for Job to repent (Job 11)
→ Eliphaz: Rebukes Job. Discusses fate of the wicked (Job 15)
→ Bildad: Criticizes Job. Discusses fate of the wicked (Job 18)
→ Zophar: Elaborates on fate of the wicked (Job 20)
→ Eliphaz: Job has committed specific sins for which he is punished (Job 22)
→ Sinners are swallowed by Sheol (Proverbs 1:10-12)
→ Yahweh curses the wicked, but he blesses the righteous (Proverbs 3:33)
→ Adulterers get wounds and dishonor [How about Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Herpes, or AIDS?] (Proverbs 6:32-33)
→ The upright receive a stronghold, but evildoers get destruction (Proverbs 10:29)
→ The good obtain favor but Yahweh condemns those who devise evil (Proverbs 12:2)
→ Sinners are overthrown (Proverbs 13:6)
→ The Righteous prosper, but sinners see misfortune (Proverbs 13:21)

2. Suffering Is a Sign That Yahweh Is Against Us!
The book of Job, particularly in Chapter 12, tends to assume that some suffering comes because Yahweh has turned against his previously protected one. This attitude probably stems from the many prophetic passages in which Yahweh tells his people that he has turned against them because of their sin. In Job’s case, however, he does not know why Yahweh has turned his wrath upon him.
→ Yahweh tears Job in his wrath, and hated him, has become his adversary (Job 16:9)
→ Yahweh has given Job up to the ungodly, cast him to the wicked (Job 16:11)
→ Yahweh broke him in two, dashed him to pieces, set him up as his target (Job 16:12)
→ Yahweh has surrounded him, slashes open his kidneys, and shows no mercy (Job 16:13)

3. Yahweh’s Sovereign Control Can Bring Suffering, or Showers of Blessing!
More often than not, we long for a life bereft of problems and suffering. We want a life of complete sunshine. If our life were a plot of land, and all it received was sunny weather, it would become dry, parched, desert-like; nothing would grow without the occasional rainy day! Life, without trials, burdens, or suffering would be neither productive, challenging, nor creative. It is those storm clouds that Yahweh sends to blot out our sunny days that at times seem to completely engulf us, but which can turn out, at a later moment, to be the precursor to blessings in abundance.
→ Job claims the Lord gives, the Lord takes away: He has complete sovereignty (Job 1:20)
→ Job claims we receive good from the Lord, should we not also receive the bad, as well? His wife claims he should curse Yahweh and die (Job 2:10)
→ Eliphaz claims that Yahweh strikes but heals, wounds but binds up (Job 5:18-27)
→ Yahweh does as he pleases: sends rain or drought; feast or famine (Job 12:14-25)
→ Yahweh thwarts the wicked, but feeds the righteous (Proverbs 10:3)

4. Suffering Is Used by Yahweh to Gain People’s Attention!
Throughout the Older Covenant period, suffering and punishment were Yahweh’s means of calling his people to repentance, so that they will know that “Yahweh is the God of gods!” (Joshua 22:22)
→ Yahweh speaks, but not all perceive it (Job 33:14)
→ Yahweh opens ears by adversity (Job 36:15)

5. Suffering Often Develops or Refines Character, Making of Us a Better, Stronger Person!
This is only for your good, dad said. I’m not spanking you to get my jollies. This will build character, it says between the lines, no matter how much it hurts.
→ When he has finished testing we come out like gold (Job 23:10)
→ A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1)
→ Wounds cleanse away evil; beatings make clean the innermost parts (Proverbs 20:30)
→ Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts (Proverbs 27:6)

6. Suffering Helps Us Grow in Our Trust in Yahweh’s Wisdom!
Despite an obvious depth of suffering, Job continually calls on Yahweh to be his ally. He accepts his suffering as a part of human life to be endured through trust in Yahweh in good and bad times. He refuses to accept his wife’s admonitions to curse Yahweh and die. While many, indeed, turn away from any claimed faith in Yahweh during a crisis or period of suffering, we, like Job, are called upon to strengthen our faith and petition Yahweh’s justice and mercy.
→ Job calls for Yahweh to answer him (Job 16:9, 19:11, 31:35)
→ Those who don’t call on Yahweh will suffer (Job 19:23)
→ Yahweh’s wisdom too great, wonderful for Job to know (Job 42:2-3)

7. Suffering Proves to Satan That Yahweh’s People Are Faithful, No Matter is Tossed Our Way!
Job teaches that some sufferers are saints. Like Job, we must hold fast to the hope of salvation through Yahweh [for us, Yeshua]. We are not expected to be successful, but faithful.
→ Yahweh calls him his faithful servant (Job Chps 1 & 42)
→ The faithful testify, give thought to Yahweh. The faithless wither (Proverbs 21:28-30)

8. Suffering Can Demonstrate That Yahweh Is Required in Order for a Miracle to Happen!
Though Job does not fully know Yahweh’s plan of salvation, he has a profound realization of what must be involved in such a plan. The suffering and the complete sacrifice of Christ as a substitute for the deserved punishment of sinners exemplifies the miracle that had to happen in order for man to be saved.
→ Trees die, yet stumps revive, so why can’t mortal man? (Job 14:7-14)
→ Fear of Yahweh is fountain of life; one may avoid snares of death (Proverbs 14:27)

9. Suffering Makes Us Ask the Hard Questions of Life!
Nine speeches later, and they still don’t know why Job is suffering. Elihu is upset. All of Job centers on the hard questions: Why do good suffer but the evil not?
→ Too many verses to list!

10. Suffering Can Emphasize or Show Us Our Laziness or Foolishness!
Laziness can bring calamity upon our heads and others, like employers, friends, or people being guarded.
→ A little sleep or folding of the hands to rest and poverty comes (Proverbs 6:10-11)
→ A slack hand causes poverty (Proverbs 10:4)
→ Lazy folks are like smoke in the eyes to their employers (Proverbs 10:26, 26:10)
→ Lazy will be put to forced labor, and that’s no fun (Proverbs 12:24)
→ Laziness makes one poor, and the poor really suffer (Proverbs 12:27)
→ Lazy folks go hungry (Proverbs 13:4, 19:15, 19:24, 20:4)
→ Hanging around with foolish brings suffering (Proverbs 13:20)
→ The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns (Proverbs 15:19)
→ The lazy person gets killed or hurt (Proverbs 22:3, 22:13, 27:12)

11. Suffering Can Show Us How to Remember Joy Even in the Midst of Disaster!
A little toil, a little pain, a little laughter. Not all things come easily, but often at the expense of suffering. The trick is to keep your eyes on the goal and smile despite the pain or suffering. SoloFlex says, no pain, no gain.
→ Joy in the Lord better than treasure combined with trouble (Proverbs 15:16‑17)
→ Better little food than a feast with strife (Proverbs 17:1)
→ Better to live in a corner of housetop than with a contentious wife (Proverbs 21:9)

12. Suffering Can Be a Call to Repentance!
Job steadfastly proclaims his innocence, despite the counter-claims of his three friends. According to Bildad, Job’s punishment is not as bad as it could have been; after all, his children died. Being alive means Job’s sin is not unforgivable and his suffering can be endured. If Job successfully endures, then he will be alive to have his sin forgiven! Many times, it is the obvious disaster or suffering that beckons us to take a hard look at our own lives, and to turn to Yahweh for forgiveness and healing.
→ Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? (Job 7:21)

13. Suffering Shows Us That We Need to Be More Giving in Our Lives!
A rather rare concept, but there it is: give or suffer! Take your choice.
→ Some give freely; others withhold what is due, and suffer (Proverbs 11:24-26

14. Suffering Has No Reason!
There are some things in life that just happen without any apparent reason. Pure chance or bad luck, I suppose.
→ Yahweh crushes and multiplies wounds without cause (Job 9:17)
→ Job’s three friends find no answer, no reason. (Job 32:3)
→ Job’s wound incurable, though he is without transgression (Job 34:6)
→ The wicked do not know what they stumble over (Proverbs 4:19)
→ Who has wounds without cause? (Proverbs 23:29)

15. We Suffer Because of Our Big Mouths!
The tongue is a fire from hell, it can bring about curses and praises. When it curses, or swears, watch out!
→ The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips (Proverbs 12:13)
→ Rash words are like sword thrusts (Proverbs 12:18)
→ A bad messenger brings trouble (Proverbs 13:17)
→ Harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1)
→ Cursing a parent causes your lamp to go out in utter darkness (Proverbs 20:20)
→ Abominations are concealed when an enemy speaks graciously (Proverbs 26:25)

16. We Suffer Because We Enjoy the Pleasures of This Life Too Much!
We lust, we enjoy, we get busted. No need to explain this one any further.
→ Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want, won’t be rich (Proverbs 21:17)
→ Drunkards and gluttons are stricken with poverty (Proverbs 23:21)
→ Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has redness of eyes? (Proverbs 23:29) – [The answer is in 23:30]
→ If you eat too much honey and you will vomit. A lovely picture (Proverbs 25:16)
→ Drunken kings pervert the rights of all the afflicted (Proverbs 31:4-5)

17. We Suffer Because of Greed!
Greed not only causes us to take our eyes off of Yahweh, but can actually lead us into death. It is a source of suffering for both the greedy and those with whom the greedy has contact.
→ Greed takes away the life of its possessors (Proverbs 1:19)
→ Those who are greedy make trouble for their households (Proverbs 15:27)
→ Those who rob the poor will be robbed of life (Proverbs 22:22)
→ Stealing and eating someone’s bread makes you throw up! (Proverbs 23:6)
→ Those in a hurry to get rich don’t know that loss is sure to come (Proverbs 28:20-22)
→ The greedy person stirs up strife (Proverbs 28:25)

18. We Suffer Because We Are Too Doggone Stubborn!
Who says we willingly go forth, without any prodding?
→ Anyone who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity (Proverbs 28:14)
→ One who remains stubborn will be broken beyond healing (Proverbs 29:1)

19. We Suffer Because of Unwanted Help!
Job says to his friends, “Shut up. I don’t want your advice, just your compassion!”
→ Feed your enemies, that will heap coals of fire on their heads (Proverbs 25:21)

20. We Suffer Because There Are Too Many Chiefs and Not Enough Indians!
One head of the household is enough. One boss is enough. One king is enough. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and . . .
→ When a land has many rulers it rebels (Proverbs 28:2)

21. We Suffer Because of our Actions Toward Others or the Actions of Others Toward Us!
Our actions towards others, especially if of evil intent, can cause us to suffer, as well.
→ One can experience a loss of sleep due to wronging another (Proverbs 4:16)
→ A scoundrel sows discord, and suddenly is engulfed by calamity (Proverbs 6:12)
→ Guaranteeing loans for a stranger brings trouble (Proverbs 11:15)
→ Evil will not depart from the house of one who returns evil for good (Proverbs 17:13)
→ If you don’t help others in need, your cry for help won’t be heard (Proverbs 21:13)
→ A faithless person in time of trouble is like a toothache. Ouch (Proverbs 25:19)
→ An unjust king makes heavy exactions ruins the land (Proverbs 29:4)

22. We Suffer Because We Don’t Listen!
Listen up, Chump. Because if you don’t, you’re gonna get hurt. Listening to Yahweh is closely associated with reverencing and honoring parents. Listening to parents has divine sanction and builds moral character, but failing to listen often results in suffering.
→ Give heed to Yahweh’s reproof or he will laugh when distress and anguish come upon you (Proverbs 1:23)
→ Those who don’t listen to parents end up in Sheol (Proverbs 1:8)
→ Those who listen will be secure, will live without dread of disaster (Proverbs 1:33)
→ Yahweh shields those who listen from suffering (Proverbs 2:1-8)
→ If you don’t listen, your step will be hampered, you will stumble (Proverbs 4:10-12)
→ Don’t listen, you’ll be at the point of utter ruin (Proverbs 5:13)
→ Listen or get laid low (Proverbs 7:24-26)
→ Those who don’t listen injure themselves (Proverbs 8:32-36)

23. Last, but Not Least: You Reap What You Sow!
[I know you’ve been waiting for this one!]
Kill a man, be killed by a man. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Steal, and be stolen from. Do this unto the least of these, and Yahweh will do this unto you!
→ Yahweh will repay all according to their deeds (Proverbs 24:10-12)

However . . . .
In the final analysys, all things work for good!!

Romans 8:28 – “We know that Yahweh causes everything to work together for the good of those who love him and are called in accordance with his purpose.”
This verse does not say that everything that happens is good. Paul believes that Yahweh is a faithful Heavenly Father who, because he is both omniscient and omnipotent, is able to cause even unfortunate happenings to work for good to those who love him. In contrast to the Greek view of “the good” as an ideal, the Biblical concept focuses what Yahweh has done and is doing in the lives of Yahweh’s people, and his providential shaping of events.

The Scriptures

• Yahweh calls Abraham, and declares him righteous. ↔  Genesis 15:6
• Yahweh will forgive those whom he calls. He will heal them. ↔ 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Yahweh planned things long ago. He designed them, and made them happen. ↔ 2 Kings 19:25
• Yahweh is the one who justifies our lives. ↔ Job 40:8
• Yahweh determines all our days before we are born. ↔ Psalm 139:16
• Yahweh has determined a time for every thing and every action. ↔ Ecclesiastes 3:17
• >Whatever happens was planned long ago. ↔ Ecclesiastes 6:10
• Yahweh commanded those people whom he separated as his. He called them. ↔ Isaiah 13:3
• Everything will happen exactly as Yahweh planned them; as he set them up. ↔ Isaiah 14:24
• Yahweh’s counsel, declared from the beginning, will accomplish his purposes. ↔ Isaiah 46:10
• Yahweh vindicates those whom he chooses. ↔ Isaiah 50:8
• Yahweh glorifies those whom he wants to. ↔ Isaiah 55:5; 60:9
• The people will be called the ones Yahweh chose. ↔ Isaiah 62:4
• Yahweh will do as he has predetermined. ↔ Jeremiah 51:12
• Yahweh will call his people for service. ↔ Ezekiel 38:8
• Yahweh has done what he planned; he has kept his word. ↔ Lamentations 2:17
• Yahweh exalts (glorifies) the humble. ↔ Luke 18:14
• Yeshua also already knew what he planned to do. ↔ John 6:6
• Yeshua was delivered up according to the plan and foreknowledge of Yahweh. ↔ Acts 2:23
• Yahweh justifies those who accept his call and do his good works. ↔ Romans 2:13
• People are justified by Yahweh’s grace as a gift. ↔ Romans 3:24
• People are justified by faith apart from works. ↔ Romans 3:28
• Yahweh does not reject his people whom he foreknows. ↔ Romans 11:2
• Yahweh’s wisdom was decreed before the ages for our glorification. ↔ 1 Corinthians 2:7
• No man is justified before Yahweh by the law; only by Yahweh’s grace. ↔ Galatians 3:11
• Yahweh accomplishes all things according to his predetermined purpose. ↔ Ephesians 1:11
• We will be glorified in Ha’Mashiach, by Yahweh. ↔ 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12
• We are justified by Ha’Mashiach: our righteousness is impugned, not our own. ↔ Titus 3:4-7
• Those who are chosen and destined by Yahweh are sanctified. ↔ 1 Peter 1:2
• Yahweh makes known what he has predestined at the proper time for our sake. ↔ 1 Peter 1:20
• Yeshua is the first among those raised from the dead, to whom we will be conformed. ↔ Revelation 1:5

Summary
These three verses, Romans 8:28-30, come in the middle of Paul’s discussion about how the love of Yahweh is inseparable from his creation. The good toward which Yahweh works is the redemption and salvation of the whole creation, from which nothing, “neither hardship, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor sword, nor angels, nor rulers, nor even death can separate us” (Romans 8:35-39)

Each event that happens in a persons life may not, necessarily, be a “good” event on the personal level. However, for those who trust Yahweh, all events that transpire can be used by Yahweh towards the eventual redemption, justification, and salvation of that person. Yahweh often works through our troubles or disasters to strip away the things we cherish, so that we may have a glimpse into the better treasures he has in store for us in his heavenly realm.

Yahweh’s foreknowledge of how people will act under various circumstances precedes his actions. This foreknowledge encompasses both Yahweh’s actions and the understanding that his people have the choice to reject or accept the plan which he has set forth. This foreknowledge does not preclude his people from being individually responsible for their choices and actions, however.

Yahweh has predestined that he will work towards the salvation of his people, without their prior knowledge that he is doing so. All things will ultimately transpire to conform to his purpose. Predestination presumes that salvation is a gift of Yahweh alone, and is not dependent upon his people’s works. Despite his people’s rejection of his plan, which leads ultimately to death, Yahweh has predetermined that it will be otherwise. He has predestined us to justification, righteousness, and glorification.

The law, which Paul talks about in Chapter 7, was never intended to save or sanctify people. No one can make themselves acceptable to the Holy One of Israel, Yahweh, by observing or keeping the law. Therefore, Yahweh has offered this as a gift. His foreknowledge set forth a process that predetermined Yahweh’s actions which in turn, lead to the cross and crucifixion of Yeshua, his only Son. Through this, those who trust in him through faith are justified and called righteous. Once called righteous, Yahweh perceives each person as “not guilty” and honors, or glorifies, them as if they had never sinned.

Application
The real application of this scripture will be in remembering not to get upset when things go wrong or one experiences suffering: to keep your one’s on Yeshua and remember that in all situations, it is only one’s trust in Yahweh that matters. It is easy to trust in Yahweh when everything is going well. May it also become just as easy to trust and believe when the bowl of cherries turns out to be full of pits!

Conclusions
Suffering is universal. Suffering is caused by events, situations, failure to listen, and a host of other reasons. No matter what happens, like Job we are to continually call on Yahweh to be our ally. We are to accept our suffering as a part of human life to be endured through trust in Yahweh in both the good and the bad times.

Romans 8:28 – “We know that Yahweh causes everything to work together for the good of those who love him and are called in accordance with his purpose.”
This verse does not say that everything that happens is good. Paul believes that Yahweh is a faithful Heavenly Father who, because he is both omniscient and omnipotent, is able to cause even unfortunate happenings to work for good to those who love him. In contrast to the Greek view of “the good” as an ideal, the Biblical concept focuses what Yahweh has done and is doing in the lives of Yahweh’s people, and his providential shaping of events.

Prior to Yahweh’s final act of redemption, when the whole creation, including our bodies, is freed from bondage to decay, it is Yahweh’s love in Yeshua which sustains and empowers us, even in the midst of and in spite of our experiences which seem to be in conflict with this. The “good” is the final and complete realization of Yahweh’s love for creation, the complete conforming of us to the image of his Son. Yahweh works in all things toward that good purpose, but only those who love him know that, because they are participants with him in the working of that purpose. What Yahweh chooses, he cleanses. What he cleanses, he molds to his purposes. What he molds, he fills. And what he fills, he uses. Nothing Yahweh has predetermined will fail to come to fruition. All things, both the good and the evil, work to bring us to the realization that only by Yahweh’s gift can we be made righteous, and be glorified.

Originally Posted in July 2019 — The Meaning of Suffering

Final Thought for 2024
Time is short – Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is coming soon. So, what are we to do while we wait for our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, to appear?
Watch And Be Ready: Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:33; Luke 12:40, 21:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Pray And Be Ready: Luke 12:40, 21:36; Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:33; 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Purify Oneself: 1 John 3:2-3
Abide In Yeshua: 1 John 2:27-28, 3:2, 4:13-16; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:11; Mark 8:38
Look For His Coming: Hebrews 9:28;Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-13; Isaiah 25:9