Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Why does God allow Satan to test believers, What of Job? 514 - 1 - 1

The expression often used is “The patience of Job,” perhaps the dedication of Job to God would be a better phrase. Satan is “the accuser of the brethren” and God allowed Satan to test Job severely.
Book of Job is considered to be the oldest book in the Bible dating back to about 2000 BC. The geographical setting of the Book of Job is thought to be the area of the Arabian Desert east of Palestine, where Midian was located, Saudi Arabia today. Of great interest are the many scientific insights found in Job and later proven by scientists. Also, the Book of Job answers the question of are there dinosaurs in the Bible.
Unknown to Job God has praised him to Satan; Job 1:8, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Satan remarks that God has a hedge of protection around Job who has great wealth both in material things and family. Job 1:12, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD”. Satan wiped out Job’s wealth and children but did not touch Job. Regardless of his losses, Job still glorified God.
Next Satan wanted to harm Job physically so God allowed it, 2:5 “But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” Job was covered with painful boils and his wife told him to curse God and die. Job answered, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?”
Job’s “friends” Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are for another time. Job finally called out to God who asks, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” What follows is a great declaration of the majesty of God, also for another time.
Finally the contest is over and Job is rewarded two-fold.
It is very easy to remain faithful to God when we are not tested, so yes, I believe that faith which cannot be tested cannot be trusted. There is a spirit of antichrist in the United States as well as throughout the planet. It will be interesting to see who ultimately remains faithful. To disavow belief is not without penalty; Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
In the “Parable of the Sower” both temptation and “cares and riches” cause a falling away. Luke 8:13-14, “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
The Israelite s were tested with the result of wandering in the wilderness for an additional 38 years. Even Moses disobeyed God.

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