Suffering is Not Always Due to Sin

Job, who lived during the time of the patriarchs, e.g., Abraham did not have the benefit of the full revelation from God as we Christians do. Only Christ suffered more than Job, but Job did not have Christ as his Mediator like we do. Job's depths of depression from his suffering made him wish that God would take his life. Job was not made of bronze or stone, but he never attacked God or God's word. Job did not understand that he was on the front line in the war with the Principalities. While Job thought his life was worthless, he has been a good example to many for thousands of years.

Job's friends did not show him the kindness to give him strength to continue his faith in God. They said his suffering was from his own sin. God Himself refuted the idea that Job's suffering was from his sin. Bilbad, for example may have been the first of the Health & Wealth preachers, saying that God physically rewards people for being good.