John Piper on why the book of Job exists:
“Virtually everyone will experience a bitter calamity sooner or later. And you can mark this ahead of time: it will almost certainly seem absurd and meaningless and undeserved when it comes.
You may be shaving and singing a hymn when you feel the lump on your neck. You may be buying supper for your family at the grocery store when all of a sudden you realize your two-year-old is gone.
It will seem very absurd, and you will cry out, “Why?” a hundred times before the cloud passes over. Most of our grief and pain does not come as a clear punishment for sins. Most of it comes out of nowhere and baffles our sense of justice.
That’s why the book of Job is so relevant. Job’s suffering seems to come out of nowhere and have no connection to his character. His story is recorded for us so that we will have some help in living through these calamities—and not just help to keep a stiff upper lip but to bow reverently and trustingly before the sovereign goodness of God.”
