Why did God feel like he had to ruin this good man's life to prove something to Satan of all people? I don't believe this stuff (atheist) but I don't see how anyone who reads the Bible doesn't see these things and automatically know it's an allegory. Is God so insecure that he had to make sure Lucifer knew how much this guy loved him to be happy? Why the hell was he talking to Satan casually anyways? Shouldn't he be smiting him or something? Why doesn't he just will Satan to stop existing?
Again, I'm an atheist, just wondering about the religious point of view on this.
2006-08-25 12:54:06 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As far as I can tell, if a story's characters have names, it's not an allegory.
God gave Job trials not unlike what people still go through today...he lost his wealth, he lost his children, and his three friends came and gave bad advice.
This book of the Bible tells us a lot about God's power over Satan, how God doesn't just decide one day that He's going to torment us, how God can restore just as easily as He can destroy etc.
2006-08-25 13:03:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God was not insecure, He already knew Job's heart. Satan was the one looking for proof. Read it, Satan believed that Job was putting on a front just to get things from God. So, Satan felt, that if God removed everything from Job, then Job in turn would hate and curse God. But, Job continued in his love. After Satan had seen that people can love God for the purpose of a relationship and not for personal gain, God Blessed Job with even more possessions and TEN more children plus the first ten that were now in Heaven, which Job knew that where they be.
It is an interesting situation as we see this mentality in real life. Many people many say they love us, but, in true, when things get bad or there nothing in it for them, they move on. We see this very much in marriages, with infidelity and divorce.
2006-08-25 20:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atheist or no atheist... you need to study the bible to understand the relationship between God, satan, and man... in this case Job!!
Then you will have your own answer to the question, and with Gods help... a better understanding!!!
& don't worry... satan will be smited soon enough... him & all his followers!!!
2006-08-25 20:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by englands.glory 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are atheist, why is it that you are so interested in the Bible?
I am not knocking this, because it is good, but you appear to be seeking, because if you were disinterested, then you would not be asking such a question would you?
The book of Job centres around this ancient and difficult problem of human suffering, and human suffering is pondered by almost everyone at some time or another. As you know, Job a godly man endured enormous suffering whilst remaining faithful to God. His friends came to comfort him and to reflect on the purpose for his suffering. They both considered the basic question: Why must we endure suffering when God is powerful enough to do something about it? Job's wife simply declared it all unfair, advising Job, to curse God and die. All Job's friends failed to provide Job with a satisfactory answer. Finally, God Himself spoke directly to Job, asking him questions that forced him to recognise his finite understanding of life. Job recognised that ultimately God is in charge and knows what He is doing. So Job remained silent and stood in awe of God's sovereignty. In the end, God restored Job's health, possessions, and family.
THEMES Innocent suffering, God's sovereignty, God's goodness, human arrogance.
2006-08-25 20:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps if you study the Bible you would figure out an answer.
Satan was given reign over the Earth and skies as a test against mankind as who he could condemn along with his own condemnation until the 2nd coming. If you do not believe it is easy to look for things that will go along with your view, what I do not understand is why you and the other atheist have all these category's to select from yet serve Satan your master to try to destroy someones faith, as they say,get a life. If you do not believe in nothing but animal lust created you and the chance of some sperm, then believe in your bad self and stop condemning others for what they choose to believe and have yourself looked upon as all mighty.
2006-08-25 20:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by AJ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hello.. :)
You must read on..for God did not ruin Job's life..Job was blessed..for he was given twice as much as he had before.. :)
Job 42
The Restoration of Job's Prosperity
10 ¶ And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
14 And he called the name of the first, Jemi'ma; and the name of the second, Kezi'a; and the name of the third, Keren–hap'puch.
15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
16 After this lived Job a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.
17 So Job died, being old and full of days.
In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)
2006-08-25 20:04:07 · answer #6 · answered by EyeLovesJesus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Job was a man of God. Nothing could shake his faith, not sin, not disease, famine, losses, not even his almost death from Satan. He bore all the pain to show that his faith was unshakeable. It was not that it was done to the man himself, but it is about life, and Satan's desire to prove to God he could take even the best and change him to bad. God told him "take whatever you want, but I won't give you his faith and love." When I feel bad, or some problems face me, I always remember Job.. And I tell people all the time to think of Job and all he went through.... ooooooo life is good....
2006-08-25 20:05:12 · answer #7 · answered by texas.okie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Job 42:12-13
12-So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13-He had also seven sons and three daughters.
2006-08-25 20:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by Rhonda 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think (and have very little idea. . .)that Job is supposed to represent all of man kind. Also, I think the story goes like Job challenged people to prove his god, like representing society standing up to prove how powerful god is. . .but umm, sorry if that doesn't help.
2006-08-25 20:02:37 · answer #9 · answered by ShouldBeWorking 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Is it smiting or smoting...? Any hoot, don't make your atheism become your own religion. It'll make you crazy trying to understand people who take the Bible verbatim.
2006-08-25 20:01:36 · answer #10 · answered by just browsin 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋