Bible Question:
Let me preface this all by saying that I'm reading from NIV. 1. RE: Job 2:3 - it just sounds weird to me that Satan could "incite" God against Job. I realize that God is allowing Satan to test Job's faith, but I guess I'm just feeling that Satan is also testing God by "inciting" Him to also test Job. Does this question even make sense - can you understand what I'm getting at? Any thoughts, anyone? 2. RE: Job 2:10 - Job replies to his wife, ". . . Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" We know that trouble does not come from God, but that He does allow it into our lives for testing our faith or as the consequence for our actions. But, did the people of Job's time not know of Satan, and only thought of trouble as being God's wrath? Thanks for any clarification you can provide me! |
Bible Answer: Because satan could not deny God's assesment of Job's godliness, he questioned why Job was pious(sincere; earnest; deeply religious). Satan suggested that Job was serving God not out of love but only because of what he got from God in return. If Job's rewards were removed, out would go his reverence. Satan's subtle suggestion that worship is basically selfish hits at the heart of man's relationship to God. The Book of Job does more than raise the queston of the suffering of the righteous. It also, through Satan's words, deals with the motives for godly living. Will anyone serve the Lord if he enjoys no personal gain from it? Satan suggested that if God removed His protecting hedge around Job and removed everything he owned, then Job would curse God. Job, in other words, was worshiping for selfish reasons. This accusation also attacked the integrity of God, for it suggested that the only way He can get people to worship Him is to promise them wealth. Perhaps this indictment against His character is one of the reasons God let Satan buffet Job. Surely God knew Job's heart, but He used Job as a demonstration to silence Satan. In addition God wanted to deepen Job's spiritual insight! |