Before doing this Bible study, please read the one-minute introduction We Must Trust God with 3 Mysteries of Life. Or listen to it on YouTube: 3 Mysteries.
It explains that:
1. We won't understand everything in life.
2. Not everything has a logical cause and effect.
3. People don't need "good reasons" to sin.
Bible Study
As you read through these passages, consider how they can help you when you are confused and discouraged by difficulties in life.
God's Prerogative
Deuteronomy 29:29: The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.
Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
I am blessed to know that my knowledge will never match the knowledge of our all-knowing God. If I could understand everything He understands, He would be on my level, but He's not!
Job's Friends
Job's friends could not deal with the fact that Job was righteous but was suffering. So they tried to find reasons for his tragedies. Below is one accusation from Eliphaz.Job 22:5: Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?
And this is God's response to Job's friends:
Job 42:7: After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
For additional insights see the 1-minute devotion Job's Friends
Joseph's Choice
The world is full of examples of people who faced hardship and did the right things and people who faced similar hardships and did the wrong things. Sin is a choice. Joseph wisely chose to live his life on this premise:
Genesis 50:20: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 is the Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:28, putting the hard mysteries of life into God's hands and trusting Him to work out everything for our good.
Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For additional insights see Bad Blood
copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated 2026
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