In these chapters we see that the all-wise Creator God does not disclose all his ways to his creatures (Job 28:23). His wisdom is hidden from view, as a cloudy sky keeps us from seeing the stars. But the limits of our perspective do not limit God’s wisdom, justice, or goodness. And Job knows God, even though he doesn’t know why he suffers so. 

And the apparent contradiction of Job’s life provides us with a pattern that Jesus Christ fills up in the fullness of time. Job’s suffering points us to the wisdom of God revealed at the cross of Christ. The Almighty planned for the Son of God—the only truly good man—to suffer the worst fate to save bad people. 

Jesus Christ is our great Answer. He is the Redeemer for whom Job longed (Job 19:25). He is the mediator who would stand between him and God (9:33). He is the true friend and sympathetic comforter (Heb 4:15–16). He is Wisdom of God in-the-flesh (Job 28:33; 1 Cor 1:30). And nothing in heaven or on earth or under the earth can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:35–39). 

Consider a mirror and binoculars. If a mirror reflects our current situation, binoculars magnify what’s far off. In our suffering and our struggles, we need a fuller perspective. We need to look out and up to Christ, our suffering and risen Lord, the Answer in the flesh. As the Scottish pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne once said, “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely.”