The book of Job provides a vivid illustration of the theology of suffering. At the beginning of the book Job's blessings are evident. He has a large family, good health, many servants, flocks of many kinds of livestock, and is considered the greatest of all the men of the East (Job 1:13). Job is not only cover material for the magazines “Progressive Farmer” and “Fortune”, but is above all a pious man, “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1.1). In quick succession, however, Job experiences numerous calamities. His livestock, servants and children die, disease ravages his health, and his friends and wife become discouragers. Job mistakenly believes in the principle of retribution: “If a person is righteous, he will prosper; if a person is evil, he will suffer.” Tremendous pain, loss, heartbreak, and discouragement lead Job to question his faith. Believers and nonbelievers are often challenged by the circumstances of their lives and ask the same question as Harold S. Kushner in the New York Times bestseller: "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." While the author may vary greatly from the truthful standard expressed in the Bible, the book's popularity indicates that many people are perplexed, disappointed, and bitter because they believe that bad things happen to them undeservedly. Instead of being unjust, God's Holy Word shows His sovereignty and provides the guidance needed to accept the theology of suffering. A study of Job enables believers to understand the sovereignty of God so that they can be perfected in faith, allow circumstances to bring glory to God, and offer hope and encouragement to believers of the successive generations. A... middle of paper .....trusting in God's sovereignty, believers glorify God and encourage others in ways that also bring glory to God. Works Cited Draper, Charles W., Chad Brand and Archie England, eds. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Revised ed. Wheaton, Illinois: Holman Reference, 2003. Green, William Henry. The subject of the book of Job explained. Reprint edition ed. Charleston, SC: James & Klock, 1977.Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A survey of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009.Kushner, Harold S. When Bad Things Happen to Good People. New York: Avon, 1983.MacArthur, John. Being Strong: How to Resist the Enemy of Your Soul. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2006. Ryrie, Charles, ed. Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 update. Expanded ed. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 1995.