Job and the justice of God

How can what happened to Job be just? From the start, the heavenly court ruled he was “blameless and upright” (Job 1:8), so how is this book about justice?

We expect God to reward those who do right, and punish those who do evil. God seems to be doing something else. The Book of Job explores the disconnect between our view of justice and God’s.

Job says God has denied him justice (27:1). His friends say that’s unthinkable (8:3; 34:12). God says, “You say you don’t understand how I’m running the world? You’re right: you don’t understand how I’m running the world.”

So what is God doing if it’s not retribution?

The book ends with God reconciling with Job. Then God and Job reconcile with the others, not treating them according to their folly (42:8). Is divine justice about restoration rather than retribution?

Over six Wednesday evenings in October/November 2026, we’ll read the drama of Job to understand how God’s justice differs from ours. If you live in Perth (Western Australia), register and we’ll save you a seat. If not, you’re welcome to download the notes (provided ahead of time) and podcasts (provided after each event). Either way, there’s no charge.

Schedule:

• Week 1 (21 Oct 2026): Introducing the drama of Job (Job 1–2). Notes and podcasts to follow here.
• Week 2 (28 Oct): The first round (Job 3–11).
• Week 3 (4 Nov): The second round (Job 12–20).
• Week 4 (11 Nov): The third round (Job 21–31).
• Week 5 (18 Nov): Elihu and the Lord (Job 32–41).
• Week 6 (25 Nov): Restorative justice (beyond Job 42).

Bookmark this page, as the weekly notes and podcasts will be uploaded here.

Sample

If God is the heavenly sovereign in charge of life on earth, why is there so much injustice? Why do bad people get away with evil? And why do good people suffer?

What is the meaning of suffering? Is God trying to teach us a lesson? Does it mean we’ve got off track somewhere? Or do we suffer for no reason sometimes? Where is God when everything goes wrong?

The Book of Job presents us with two truths that seem incompatible: a) God is just, and b) Job is suffering in ways that make no sense, that feel unjust. Job’s friends all tell him that the problem cannot be with God so it must be with him. But Job refuses to roll over and play guilty. He wants to know why God is picking on him.

What do you do when tough experiences challenge your faith? What do you say to the suffering person?

Related posts

The Formed in God’s Story series has previously covered these sections of the Bible. Notes and podcasts in each link:

• Mark 1–8 and 9–16 (twelve sessions)
• Matthew 1–14 and 15–28 (twelve sessions)
• Romans 1–8 and 9–16 (twelve sessions)
• Acts (seven sessions)
• Revelation (six sessions)
• Genesis 1–12 (six sessions)
• Psalms (six sessions)
• Isaiah (six sessions)
• Genesis – Esther (six sessions)
• Old Testament Prophets (six sessions)
• Exploring the Bible (six sessions)