This is Part 7 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does God allow Suffering?” Part 8 will be posted tomorrow.

God Allows Suffering to Silence His Enemies  

The book of Job clearly reveals the Divine side of suffering. While Job did not know why he suffered in pain, the narrative revealed the Divine courtroom of history and the accusations Satan made against Job, and consequently God! God allowed Satan to first destroy Job’s businesses and resources, as well as his ten children. Then God allowed Satan to touch Job’s health with boils, but not take his life. Satan wanted to prove that Job only served God for financial gain and blessing. Job’s silence before God proved not only that God is sovereign but that the humble man will be silent before God, which in turn silenced Satan!

As Christians humble themselves before God, they silence the Enemy. Peter wrote, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men–“ (1 Pet. 2:15 NKJ) As foolish men are silenced, the enemy will be silenced. Fools are the ones who say there is no God (Ps. 14:1). Fools are the ones who say everything is about money rather than Jesus. Paul exhorted Timothy to counter fools by pursuing after godliness,

⁶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Tim. 6:6-11 NKJ)

By denying the things of this world and seeking after the blessings and rewards of eternity, God’s people demonstrate obedience and heavenly priorities to silence their enemies,

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. ²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. ²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. (Heb. 11:24-29 NKJ)

The Egyptians were silenced to never again question or mock God. God uses suffering to silence His enemies and there are numerous other purposes for which He uses it.

Part 8 will be posted tomorrow.