Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5560 suffering » 5562 suffering, of the innocent
Scripture does not teach that the wicked will suffer, whereas the innocent and blameless will prosper. It offers insights into the place of suffering in the lives of the innocent, and the apparent injustice of this situation.
The apparent injustice of suffering
Habakkuk 1:13
See also
Job 19:7; Job 24:1,12;
Psalm 59:3-4; Psalm 74:1,11; Psalm 88:5,14
The wrong answers to suffering
The concept that those who suffer must be sinners:
Job 4:7;
John 9:2-3
Ezekiel 18:25
the idea that God is unjust
The wrong reactions to suffering
Job 2:9-10
resentment against God;
Job 23:13-15
being terrified of God;
Job 40:2
arguing with God;
Psalm 73:3
envying the wicked;
Psalm 73:13
disillusionment
The right reactions to suffering
Reverent submission
Job 1:21
See also
Job 28:28; Job 34:12; Job 36:26; Job 37:19; Job 40:4;
Lamentations 3:40,49-50;
Matthew 10:28
Trust in God
Genesis 18:25;
Psalm 55:22-23
See also
Exodus 2:23;
Psalm 56:3-4; Psalm 59:16; Psalm 62:5; Psalm 70:2; Psalm 107:6,13,19,28
Psalm 119:50,153;
Daniel 3:17-18
the trust shown by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego;
Habakkuk 3:17-18;
1 Peter 2:23
the example of Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 4:19; Peter 5:7
God's reaction to suffering
Concern for those who suffer
Psalm 9:12
See also
Exodus 2:25;
2 Kings 14:26;
Psalm 1:6; Psalm 33:18-19;
James 5:4
Anger at the wicked
Psalm 11:5; Psalm 59:8;
Ezekiel 36:6-7;
Habakkuk 2:9,12
God's response to suffering
Deliverance for those who suffer
Psalm 34:19
See also
Job 42:10-12;
Revelation 7:16; Revelation 21:4
Judgment for the wicked
Malachi 3:5
See also
Exodus 3:19-20;
Psalm 73:16-18; Psalm 141:10;
Amos 1:3;
Nahum 3:1,19;
Habakkuk 2:16;
Matthew 25:41-46;
James 2:13;
1 Peter 4:18;
Revelation 18:6-7
See also
1030 God, compassion
1075 God, justice of
1085 God, love of
1125 God, righteousness
1310 God as judge
1320 God as Saviour
5347 injustice
5959 submission
8020 faith
8030 trust
8333 reverence
