This Week's Story
click here to play audioA strange conversation between God and Satan was recorded by an unknown person.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
God, what have I done? part two
A strange conversation between God and Satan was recorded by an unknown person and placed into the book of Job in the Bible. It happened before Job lost his children and great wealth.
Angels were meeting with God. Satan, the Accuser, was among them.
“Where have you been?” God asked him.
“I’ve been watching everything on the earth.”
“Did you observe Job? He has integrity and wants nothing to do with evil. He has deep respect for me.”
Satan smirked. “Sure! He respects you. What else would you expect? You protect him and everything he has. Take away what he has and he’ll curse you.
God paused and said, “You may test him. Do what you wish with what is his, but do not hurt him physically.”
Satan left and troubles and sorrows came rushing upon Job as he lost his children, servants, and herds of animals.
Through all these tests Job did not curse God.
Again, as the angels met with God, Satan, the Accuser, was among them.
“Where have you been?” God asked him.
“I’ve been watching everything on the earth.
“Did you observe Job? He has not cursed me, though he has done nothing to deserve the suffering you have poured upon him.”
Satan requested, “Take away his health. He’ll curse you. A man will give up everything he has to save his life.”
God answered, “Do as you wish, but do not take his life.”
Then Job had boils all over his body, from his head to his feet. His pain was horrific. No one helped him. His three friends insisted that God must be punishing him. His constant question was: “God, what have I done wrong?
A young man, Elihu, announced to Job and his three friends. “Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom. Job deserves the maximum penalty for the wicked way he has questioned God.
Then God answered Job. “Who is this man with such ignorant words? Job, I have questions for you. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Who gives intuition and instinct? Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions’ appetites as they lie in their dens or crouch in a thicket?
“Do you still want to argue with me? You are my critic, but do you have the answers?”
Job answered humbly, “I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
God said, “I have more questions. Are you going to discredit my justice and condemn me so that you can say that you are right? Put on your kingly robes. Then take a look at the hippopotamus. It is a prime example of God’s amazing handiwork. Study the crocodile. It makes the water boil with its commotion. The tremendous strength in its neck brings terror.”
Job replied, “I know you can do anything and no one can stop you. I have been talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me. I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said.”
God spoke to Job’s three friends. “You men have not been right in what you said about me. Go to Job. He will pray for you and I will accept his prayer in your behalf.”
So God blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than He did in its first half. Job died--an old man who had lived a long, good life.
This is Barbara Steiner with a familiar question: How does God answer the question of suffering? Please check out this weeksstory.com.
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