The Paradox Of Job’s SufferingSample

The Power Crossfire

What was the ping pong between God and Satan all about? Are we just the little ball that gets shuttled back and forth between the great powers? While we may not even dare to ask the question why, here are some revelations from the book of Job.

The book introduces Job and then proceeds to describe a meeting of the true powers which appears to be a regular feature. Here, Satan’s roaming on the earth is mentioned, indicating he is wreaking havoc on the people as per his whims and fancies. God does not question him on that huge multitude of people Satan is going berserk on. He invites Satan’s attention to His protégé Job, whom He has been blessing. Satan apparently has not laid a finger on him but is itching to and God lures him into it.

So among all the people in the world, it is one man – God’s man who is both on Satan’s mind and God’s mind. Why is God allowing Satan to play around with His man? Does He really need to test a man who has starred in righteousness? What is in it for Job? Let’s skip straight to the end of the story for now before reverting to this perplexing situation.

At the end of the day:

Job’s righteousness goes up several notches as:

· He passes the test of trust in trial

· He gets to see new perspectives of God

· He receives physical and spiritual blessings far beyond what he enjoys earlier

· He remains a beacon to us pilgrims as we labor on

· He demonstrates victory over Satan

· And many more

The bottom-line is, Satan is trying to break him, and God is trying to make him – through the same situation.

Obviously, God would never allow Satan to break him and take him beyond his capacity. That is a promise in 1 Cor 15:10 – no temptation has seized you that is not common to man. But God is faithful. He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.