God's Eternal Purposes in Affliction and Suffering
God's eternal purposes encompass all things, including affliction and suffering, which are understood to be part of His sovereign plan [4]. The Bible indicates that while suffering is common to all humanity (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19), it serves specific divine objectives for believers [1].
One primary purpose of affliction is the spiritual good of individuals and the glory of God [1]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, speaks of his own "thorn in the flesh" as a means to prevent him from becoming conceited, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:7-10) [1]. Similarly, James encourages believers to consider trials as opportunities for joy, knowing that the testing of their faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3) [1]. These trials are to be borne with patience by God's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12) [1].
Scripture consistently portrays God as the ultimate director of all afflictions (Lam. 3:33) [1]. He appoints them (Job 5:6,17; Am 3:6), dispenses them as He wills (Isa 10:15; 45:7), regulates their measure (Ps 80:5), and determines their duration (Jer 29:10) [3]. However, it is also affirmed that God does not willingly bring affliction (Lam. 3:33) [3]. Affliction is often a consequence of the fall (Gen. 3:16-19) and sin (Job 4:8; Prov. 1:31) [3]. Yet, even in this context, God's love is described as sovereign, great, abiding, unfailing, and everlasting (Jer. 31:3; Eph. 2:4; Rom. 8:39) [2].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Afflictions — Common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35-39).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions — God appoints -- 2Ki 6:33; Job 5:6,17; Ps 66:11; Am 3:6; Mic 6:9. God dispenses, as He will -- Job 11:10; Isa 10:15; 45:7. God regulates the measure of -- Ps 80:5; Isa 9:1; Jer 46:28. God determines the continuance of -- Ge 15:13,14; Nu 14:33; Isa 10:25; Jer 29:10. God does not willingly send -- La 3:33. Man is born to -- Job 5:6,7; 14:1. Saints appointed to -- 1Th 3:3. Consequent upon the fall -- Ge 3:16-19. Sin produces -- Job 4:8; 20:11; Pr 1:31. Sin visited with -- 2Sa 12:14; Ps 89:30-32; Isa 57:17; Ac 13:10,11. Often severe -- Job 16:7-16; Ps 42:7; ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Decrees of God — "The decrees of God are his eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be in their causes, conditions, successions, and relations, and determining their certain futurition. The several contents of this one eternal purpose are, because of the limitation of our faculties, necessarily conceived of by us in partial aspects, and in logical relations, and are therefore styled Decrees." The decree being the act of an infinite, absolute, eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign Person, compre”