11. Why So Much Suffering?

11. Why So Much Suffering?

1 JEHOVAH DOES NOT CAUSE ANY SUFFERING

“It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong!”​—Job 34:10

Why is there so much suffering in the world?

2 SATAN CHALLENGED JEHOVAH’S RIGHT TO RULE

“God knows that . . . your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.”​—Genesis 3:5

Why did Jehovah not ignore Satan’s challenge?

  • Genesis 3:2-5

    Satan accused God of being a bad ruler. Satan wanted humans to believe that they had the right to decide for themselves what was right or wrong.

  • Job 38:7

    Satan challenged Jehovah in front of millions of angels.

3 SATAN’S CHALLENGE HAS FAILED

“It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”​—Jeremiah 10:23

Why have humans suffered for so long?

  • Isaiah 55:9

    Humans have had many kinds of governments, but they cannot rule the earth successfully without God.

  • 2 Peter 3:9, 10

    Jehovah is patient and has allowed time for us to come to know him and to choose him as our Ruler.

  • 1 John 3:8

    Jehovah will use Jesus to undo all the damage that Satan has done.

4 USE YOUR FREE WILL TO SERVE JEHOVAH

“Be wise, my son, . . . so that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.”​—Proverbs 27:11

Why doesn’t Jehovah force us to serve him?

  • Proverbs 30:24

    Animals act primarily because of instinct, but Jehovah has given us free will. We can decide whether we will serve him or not.

  • Matthew 22:37, 38

    Jehovah wants us to serve him because we love him.