Why did God Torture Job
Until now, we still don’t have a definite answer as to why God chose to put Job through such hard times, as told in the magnificent Bible story. There are many interpretations of what happened to Job and why God inflicted such difficult tests on him. Let’s try to understand why:
Job’s Faithfulness
One reason why God decided to inflict suffering upon Job could have been to test his faithfulness. Job was one of the most dedicated and pious believers in the Old Testament. God tested his faith to see whether or not he was willing to remain loyal to Him in spite of all hardships. Job is an example of a successful outcome, he remained true to his faith and kept praising God;
- Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised.”
- Job 2:10 – “Shall we accept good from God and not the bad?”
A Lesson for Mankind
The strong spirit of Job has been an example to mankind since the beginning of time. His life serves as a living demonstration of how to endure affliction and keep faith with God in adversity. Job is a powerful reminder that sometimes difficulties may come to us, but with God’s help we will never be defeated.
- Job 42:1-6 – “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
- Job 42:10 – “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.”
God’s Purpose
In the end, God aims to help us find strength, peace and courage in Him even when there is no immediate material reward. God’s purpose for Job was to provide a glimpse of hope, so we could trust in the power of a greater, greater plan even when the situation looks bleak.
- Job 42:11-17 – “Then all his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter years of Job’s life more than the first; he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. Job was the greatest man in all the East.”
Conclusion
No one can fully understand why God chooses to inflict pain and suffering on the innocent. We cannot fully comprehend God’s ultimate plans. But the story of Job is a reminder that God never allows suffering to be in vain, and ultimately rewards those who stay true to Him.