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God's Purpose in Adversity and Affliction in Scripture

God's purpose in allowing adversity and affliction in the lives of individuals is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, revealing a multifaceted divine intention that encompasses discipline, purification, instruction, and the ultimate glorification of God himself [1, 7]. While suffering is a common human experience, often a consequence of the Fall [2], biblical texts indicate that God actively directs and regulates the measure and continuance of afflictions for specific ends [1, 2].

One primary purpose of adversity is divine discipline and instruction. The Lord's discipline can manifest as hardships, disappointments, and frustrations, much like a good father uses correction to guide his children [10]. Proverbs 3:11-12 highlights this, stating that God's purpose in such discipline is to make individuals wise, good, and happy [10]. Similarly, Psalm 119:71 declares, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Affliction can serve to teach individuals God's will and turn them back to Him [7]. For instance, the prophet Jonah's experience in the belly of the great fish led him to prayer and repentance, demonstrating how distress can prompt a return to God [3, 7]. The book of Job, while complex, also illustrates this, as Job's suffering, though not directly a result of his sin, ultimately led him to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and his own limitations [9]. Even the godly, who may generally confess themselves sinners, sometimes need affliction to recognize specific sins and their deserving of divine judgment [9].

Affliction also serves to reveal and confirm sin, leading to conviction and repentance. Job 36:8-9 suggests that God uses bonds of affliction to show people their transgressions and pride. Psalm 119:67 notes, "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word." This process can lead individuals to confess their sins and seek God's forgiveness, as seen in Psalm 39:8 and 51:1 [3, 7]. The experience of suffering can also prevent future departures from God, as individuals learn from their past mistakes and the consequences that followed [7].

Beyond individual discipline, adversity can promote the glory of God. The suffering of believers can showcase God's power and faithfulness, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, where Paul describes being afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed [7]. This demonstration of divine sustenance in the midst of hardship brings glory to God. John 9:1-3 and 11:3-4 also illustrate this, where Jesus states that the blindness of a man and the illness of Lazarus were for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified through them [7]. Even the afflictions of the wicked can glorify God, as seen in Exodus 14:4 and Ezekiel 38:22-23, where God's judgment on those who oppose Him reveals His power and righteousness [5].

God's purpose in adversity is not to inflict pain for its own sake. Lamentations 3:33 states that God "does not afflict willingly" [2]. Adam Clarke interprets this to mean that God takes no pleasure in human pain and misery, but rather uses the "rod" like a tender parent, not to gratify himself, but to profit and save [12]. This perspective emphasizes God's benevolent intent even in difficult circumstances.

For believers, affliction is often a means of spiritual growth and refinement. James 1:2-3 encourages believers to "count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." This steadfastness, in turn, leads to maturity and completeness [1]. The suffering of Christ himself is presented as a means by which he became a merciful and faithful high priest, able to sympathize with those who are tempted and afflicted [13]. Hebrews 2:18 states that because Jesus suffered, he is able to help those who are suffering [13]. This suggests that suffering can cultivate compassion and empathy, aligning believers more closely with Christ's character [8].

Adversity also serves to deepen prayer and reliance on God. When afflicted, individuals are exhorted to pray, seeking God's presence, support, comfort, and deliverance [3]. The book of Jonah provides a clear example of prayer under affliction, as Jonah cried out to the Lord from the belly of the fish [3, 7]. This turning to God in prayer during times of trouble is a consistent biblical theme, demonstrating how affliction can draw people closer to their Creator [7].

While affliction is a universal human experience, "man is born to" it [2], the Bible distinguishes between the afflictions of the righteous and the wicked. For the wicked, afflictions can be judicial punishments for sin, often severe and sudden [5]. These are sometimes sent as examples to others, though they are often ineffectual in themselves for conversion [5]. For the righteous, however, afflictions are not primarily punitive but redemptive and refining. They are "for the good of men" and "will result in the everlasting good of his people in Christ Jesus" [1]. Romans 8:35-39 affirms that nothing, not even tribulation or distress, can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus [1].

God's sovereignty over affliction is consistently emphasized. He appoints, dispenses, regulates, and determines the continuance of all afflictions [2]. This divine control ensures that even in suffering, God's ultimate purposes are being worked out. Romans 11:22 speaks of both the "goodness and severity of God," indicating that God's dealings with humanity, whether in blessing or in judgment, are always consistent with His character [6]. The wrath of God is revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness [4], but for believers, God's plan is salvation, not wrath [11].

Sources

  1. 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).”
  2. 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; ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
  4. Romans “Romans 1:18 (ASV) — For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
  6. Romans “See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. -- Romans 11:22”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
  9. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:8: thy words-- (Job 10:7; Job 16:17; Job 23:11-12; Job 27:5-6; Job 29:14). In Job 9:30; Job 13:23, Job had acknowledged sin; but the general spirit of his words was to maintain himself to be "clean," and to charge God with injustice. He went too far on the opposite side in opposing the friends' false charge of hypocrisy. Even the godly, though willing to confess themselves sinners in general, often dislike sin in particular to be brought as a charge against them. Affliction is therefore needed to bring them to feel that sin in them deserves even worse than t”
  10. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 3:11: 3:11-12 The Lord’s discipline can take the form of hardships, disappointments, and frustrations (see Heb 12:4-6). Like a good father, God’s purpose is to make us wise, good, and happy.”
  11. 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:9: 5:9 God’s anger (1:10; 2:16; Rom 5:9; cp. 2 Thes 1:6-10; 2:8) represents the carrying out of his judgment against evil. However, God destined believers for salvation, not wrath (2 Thes 2:13-14), and they will escape the terrors of the day of the Lord (1 Thes 5:1-3).”
  12. Lamentations (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Lamentations 3:33: For he doth not afflict willingly - It is no pleasure to God to afflict men. He takes no delight in our pain and misery: yet, like a tender and intelligent parent, he uses the rod; not to gratify himself, but to profit and save us.”
  13. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
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