Would God Offer Us as an Example? Job 1-2

Job 2:3 (ESV Strong's)
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”

Would God Offer Us as an Example?

God has shown us that He is willing to offer His servants to Satan for testing.   That is an awesome thought to consider.   The fact that the battle between God and Satan includes the beloved of the Lord is an amazing truth.   God and Satan are in an arm wrestling context and mankind is smashed between their two hands.   Yet, at the same time, God will not allow Satan to do anything God does not want.   Note what Solomon stated about God’s care for His saints:

Proverbs 2:8 (ESV Strong's)
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.

But, the test is not to prove God’s care.  The test is not to prove the character of the tested, either.   The test of Job’s character is for us, who come later, and need to know the righteous care of God ALWAYS displayed during suffering.  One commentary stated it as follows:

(UBC OT) God’s words here confirm that the test has never been for God’s sake. God knows the righteous character of his servant, Job, and has no need to test it. The test is always for the sake of the reader, for whom alone the possibility of disinterested faith in God has any meaning.

The book of Job and Job’s experience was written to give us guidance, assurance and instruction for our own suffering.   Job is the example of the experience we might have at a teaspoon level.   It is doubtful that many have their children die, their riches destroyed and their health mangled, all at one swoop.   To some, yes.  To most, no.   So, Job lives out in front of us and gives us insight into God’s care and concern for us.   God offers Job to Satan because God ALREADY knew Job’s character.   God is not proving if Job is truly full of character.  God is showing us what happens when we have the righteousness of God within us and suffering comes to attack.   God was so sure that Job would pass Satan’s test that He offered up Job to Satan as an example to us.  Imagine the power of God that He know that the righteousness He placed in Job would pass the test of suffering.  This is why Paul can write with confidence about God’s finish work in us:

Philippians 1:6 (ESV Strong's)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.