In study article #38, which is the December 2025, issue, entitled “The Book of Job Can Help You When You Suffer.”
The article states that old manJob a man described as “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil”was wrong to demand answers from God.
Paragraph 10 tells the reader that:
“Job was wrong to demand a direct answer from God as to what was behind his suffering.”
Is that what really happened?
In the book of Job, we get to see Job as a guy who’s going through a tough time, desperately looking for some clear answers from God about all the pain and unfairness he’s dealing with. It’s pretty interesting that in chapters 38 to 41, God actually shows up and has a heartfelt chat with Job, giving him the clarity he’s been longing for. During this important conversation, God also talks to Job’s friends, who’ve been telling him to stop questioning things and just accept his bad luck. In a bold move, God tells them in Job 42:7, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” This really highlights that Job’s questions and struggles were way more honest and valid than the simple answers his friends were giving.
This whole situation brings up some really interesting questions: If Job was wrong for wanting answers from God, then why did God come down to talk to him? And why did God correct Job’s friends instead of Job himself? What was it about Job’s questions that God thought were right? The text doesn’t back up what the Watchtower claims here. Instead, it shows that God appreciated Job’s desire for a real and open conversation, even if He didn’t give Job the specific answers he was hoping for. This exchange really drives home the importance of asking questions and seeking understanding, rather than just accepting things as they are without any challenge.
Here’s the issue:
The Watchtower is changing the way Job’s story is told, making it seem like asking tough questions is just a sign of pride and a lack of faith. But why go this route? It’s pretty obvious: they really don’t want their followers to follow Job’s lead in questioning and seeking answers.
If Jehovah’s Witnesses really took to heart what Job went through, they’d be encouraged to look critically at teachings that don’t quite add up, to ask their leaders for clear answers, to share their anger and frustration when times get tough, and to stick to their principles, even when friends offer comforting but misleading reassurances. But instead of being praised for that kind of integrity, they often get labeled as “spiritually weak” or even worse, as a problem.
Throughout the 35 chapters of Job, he really let his frustrations out, openly called God unjust, and demanded answers for his suffering. And how did God respond to Job? He said, “You’ve spoken what’s right.” On the flip side, Job’s friends were too busy defending God, coming up with all sorts of pious reasons why Job must have sinned to deserve his troubles. And what did God say to those friends? He told them, “You haven’t spoken the truth about me.”
In the end, the story shows that God stood by the honest questioner—Job—rather than those who were just trying to protect His reputation. It’s a strong reminder of how important it is to seek the truth and express real feelings, instead of just going along with what others expect.
Why this matters:
This is exactly why so many of us feel guilty when we have doubts. We grew up thinking that questioning anything shows a lack of faith, which can lead to some serious spiritual trouble. But then there’s the story of Job, which gives us a totally different view. It shows that asking honest, sincere questions to God is way more righteous than just giving empty comfort or holding onto beliefs we haven’t really earned.
Job had no clue about the whole “Satan challenge.” He didn’t know that his suffering had any kind of “cosmic significance.” All he knew was that what he was going through was really unfair, and he wasn’t shy about saying it. By doing that, God saw it as a genuine expression of faith.
At the bottom of paragraph 11, the article reads:
“As a result, Job humbly acknowledged how little he really knew, and he repented of his rash words. (Job 31:6; 40:4, 5; 42:1-6) How could this account have benefited people in the past, and how can it benefit us today?”
Paragraph 12 deals with the Moses and the Israelites. I’ll paraphrase:
The Israelites could have benefited from Job’s experience. Moses faced many hardships as Israel’s leader but brought his concerns to Jehovah instead of complaining like the rebellious Israelites. He also accepted personal correction humbly, even when it meant not entering the Promised Land due to his mistakes. The story of Job could have taught future generations to express their feelings to Jehovah, avoid self-justification, and accept discipline with humility.
Then we get to paragraph 13, and in their usual flair, the Watchtower says the following:
“As Christians, we too need endurance.” It goes to say
“He may also correct us to the extent needed, as he did Job. The book of Job also teaches us how to endure if we receive counsel or discipline from Jehovah’s Word, His organization, or mature friends. (Heb. 12:5-7) Just as Job benefited from humbly accepting the correction he received, we benefit when we allow ourselves to be readjusted. (2 Cor. 13:11) What beneficial lessons we learn from Job!”
There you go, it all boils down to discipline and corrections. They cite Hebrews 12:5-7 which is under the subheading in my bible as The Discipline of God. It reads
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”
You’ll notice that this is “discipline from Jehovah”, nothing in these verses mention “receiv[ing] counsel or discipline from … His organization, or mature friends.”
The paragraph mentions that “we benefit when we allow ourselves to be readjusted.” And then cites 2 Cor. 13:11, which reads:
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
I’m surprised the article didn’t recommend attending more meetings and cart witnessing as a cure to combat physical, emotional challenges and difficult family situations.”
It all boils down to this, the Watchtower calls Job’s kind of questioning “wrong” because they want you to just accept their answers without asking for any proof or justification. They’d rather you keep your doubts to yourself instead of speaking up. But Job? He stood his ground against those kinds of explanations, and because of that, God was on his side.