Why did God feel the need to "test" the faith of Job and Abraham? Didn't he have enough faith in them? Isn't faith about believing not proving?
Please no extremely long answers or "God can do what he wants" answers or anything similar.
Thanks.
2007-06-06 06:31:13 · 17 answers · asked by Netti 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christian girl:
That crap about the "heathens" in the Middle East was completely uncalled for. They are not devils and the people who we are at war with aren't the religion. It's the terrorist group. I don't see why some people can't get that through their thick heads.
Your arrogance puts a bad name on all Christians. You have no right to judge others like this, that's what your god is supposed to do.
2007-06-06 06:38:21 · update #1
Many of you are addressing what happened to Job. But what about Abraham? God almost made Abraham kill his son as a test of his faith. Didn't he have faith in Abraham?
2007-06-06 06:40:28 · update #2
Did Job and Abraham ever test God?
(notice i said TEST not DOUBT)
Maybe they should have to make God's faith in them stronger.
2007-06-06 06:54:42 · update #3
I will only speak to you on my own personal experiences. I have been tested many times. . .and although at that time it was very difficult. . .coming through it. . . .wow, it is an amazing strengthening experience and reveals to me once again how good my God is. Although, there have been times that I have fallen and not done so well through a trial. . .I can tell you that if I had never fallen I would have never known just how sweet victory is.
2007-06-06 06:35:47 · answer #1 · answered by sparkles9 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believers believe that God gave us free will for this very reason. Before, in the OT, He tested those of faith. And people are still upset about why a God would do such thing. So God leaves us on our own, answers only those who call for Him, and people ask why God has left us?
Are we ever happy?
2007-06-06 13:43:45 · answer #2 · answered by randyken 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From South Park:
'That's the most horrible story I've ever heard. Why would God do such a horrible thing to a good person just to prove a point to Satan?'
The Bible is just a book. You might as well start thinking about the mysteries of Harry Potter books. Only fiction.
And you're right, faith is about believing.
2007-06-06 13:44:52 · answer #3 · answered by Bri 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God wasn't testing Job. The devil was testing Job. God told the devil to do what he wanted to Job becuase He knew Job would stand the trials. I haven't read much on Abraham yet so I can't answer that one. But it wasn't God testing Job's faith it was the devil.
2007-06-06 13:34:58 · answer #4 · answered by lisaandpathailey 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it wasn't about God testing their faith as much as it was God's gentle hand in guiding them to where they needed to be spiritually. It was about Job and Abraham finding out about themselves and their commitment to what was important to them. Remember....God is all knowing. He knew how they would react and handle what was asked of them or the trials they went through. Finding out where one is in their level of faith can help teach us alot about ourselves. Do we have enough faith to keep the commandments and do all that God asks us or is our faith weak and keeping us from greater blessings. It is important to develope our faith so that we can recieve greater light and understanding. It is only after the trial of faith that we can really recieve a witness or the blessings that come from obedience, and boy what blessings did they both recieve!!!! The problem is mortal man looking at it in a worldly perspecitive instead of the eternal perspective.
2007-06-06 13:59:05 · answer #5 · answered by Huh? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know what darkness is? How do know what happiness is? Think about the saying "You don't know what you got till it's gone". I know what darkness is because there's light. I know what happiness is because there is sadness.
The way to make steel stronger is to weaken it first. You heat it then cool it down. Likewise, the way to strengthen our faith is to test it. Just like school. You take tests to measure your knowledge and learn. Faith is the same. Like Job said, we have to learn to take the good and the bad from God. If He takes you to it, He'll pull you through it.
2007-06-06 13:40:49 · answer #6 · answered by Big Sam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greetings,
How is it that a person shows that what they are about? God didn't test them. What did transpire was their 100% following God and obeying His whole word regardless of the outcome of their action knowing that ultimately this obedience would work to their benefit,without prior knowledge of what that benefit was to be.
Hence:II Corinthians 5:7--- for we walk by FAITH,not by sight--- Walk meaning our life as we live it conforming to the preceptsand guides given us by God.
2007-06-06 13:59:08 · answer #7 · answered by cobravetor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not too sure why God felt the need to test their faith. I suppose after creating man, He wanted to see how faithful some of them were to Him.
I think we all tend to "test" people we love.
2007-06-06 13:35:53 · answer #8 · answered by Beverly B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is mainly so that those of us who read the Bible today can see that faith in God will sustain you. No matter what you go through, if Job and Abraham can get through it, you can get through it. Also, they are valuable lessons for us to know that we are to trust in God for all things and no matter what.
2007-06-06 13:45:53 · answer #9 · answered by Caleb's Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God was not at the origin of testing Job. Satan was.
God permitted it, He did not cause it.
Abraham was picked to provide a lesson for you and me.
As we reel in horror at the thought of a Father offering his son in sacrifice, it should help us appreciate the fine gesture God himself made.
PLUS
"A man is declared righteous by works, not by faith alone.
.....faith without works is dead." James 2:24
2007-06-06 13:44:15 · answer #10 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋