Bible Question: Since God knows the future and he knew that Job would not curse him, was Job's suffering to prove to Satan that Job would "pass the test"? Or to teach Job something? |
Bible Answer: Atterbury, Why questions like this are extremely difficult to answer unless we are given a clear reason in scripture itself, and unfortunately in this case we are not. However, both the reasons you named are good suggestions. Let me give you two more thoughts however. In one sense Job was on trial, but in another sense it was God on trial. What Satan technically said was that Job would curse God if his "lush" situation changed, what was being accused on another level was that nobody would worship God with out a materialistic bribe to do so, God in fact was being accused of not worthy of worship otherwise. So on one level what took place was a public display of the wrong headedness of that notion. The second being that while what took place might have been to teach Job something, it was written and put in scripture not for Job, who was long dead when it was done, but in order to teach those who are alive, you and I. The book of Job was provided in the wisdom of God to teach us some very meaningful things about suffering, and it is best to be seen in that light. In Christ, Beja |