I really need some perspectives on this one because the story of Job is one I've always struggled with. I know it's supposed to be one of the most uplifting and encouraging stories of the Bible, but it's pretty much the one that made me start questioning my faith.
The story opens with God praising Job and saying what a faithful servant he is, and Satan says he's sure if he does enough to him that eventually Job will turn against him. So God lets Satan have his way with Job, limiting him at first from touching Job himself, then eventually limiting him from killing Job but allowing him to get sick at least. In the end, Job has a moment where he starts to demand an explanation from God, but God tells him basically, "Who are you to question me? Where were you when I created the world?" and so on. In the end Job stays faithful, and God restores his health, and gives him back even more than what he lost.
Here's where I struggle with this story. Job lost family during all this, and family can never be replaced. I doubt Job ever got over the heartbreak of losing his own children. Also why did God have to prove anything to Satan? Satan already knew where he stood, I mean he even had to ask God before he could do anything. Why did God go ahead with all of it when Satan already knew where he stood so there was no point to prove, and why is this an uplifting story? It's a story that's always bothered me, and I really want to know what other people have to say about it because there's clearly something I'm missing here I guess.
The story opens with God praising Job and saying what a faithful servant he is, and Satan says he's sure if he does enough to him that eventually Job will turn against him. So God lets Satan have his way with Job, limiting him at first from touching Job himself, then eventually limiting him from killing Job but allowing him to get sick at least. In the end, Job has a moment where he starts to demand an explanation from God, but God tells him basically, "Who are you to question me? Where were you when I created the world?" and so on. In the end Job stays faithful, and God restores his health, and gives him back even more than what he lost.
Here's where I struggle with this story. Job lost family during all this, and family can never be replaced. I doubt Job ever got over the heartbreak of losing his own children. Also why did God have to prove anything to Satan? Satan already knew where he stood, I mean he even had to ask God before he could do anything. Why did God go ahead with all of it when Satan already knew where he stood so there was no point to prove, and why is this an uplifting story? It's a story that's always bothered me, and I really want to know what other people have to say about it because there's clearly something I'm missing here I guess.
