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Mystery of God's Purposes in Human Affliction

The concept of God's mysterious purposes in human affliction is a recurring theme in biblical literature, emphasizing divine sovereignty and the ultimate good that can emerge from suffering [1]. While affliction is a universal human experience, it is presented as being directed by God, even though God does not willingly send it [1, 3].

Scripture indicates that afflictions are common to all people (Job 5:7; 14:1) and are often a consequence of the Fall (Genesis 3:16-19) or even sin (Job 4:8; Psalm 89:30-32) [3]. However, the Bible also teaches that afflictions serve specific divine purposes. They are intended for the good of individuals and the glory of God [1]. For instance, James 1:2-3, 12 suggests that trials produce steadfastness and lead to a crown of life, while 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 illustrates how weakness can highlight God's power [1]. The prophet one tradition states, "The Lord's voice cries to the city... Hear the rod and who has appointed it!" (Micah 6:9), indicating God's role in appointing suffering [3].

The "mystery of his will" (Ephesians 1:9) refers to God's redemptive plan, which was hidden but is now revealed through the Gospel [2, 6, 9]. This mystery is not exclusive to a select few, as in heathen traditions, but is made known to all Christians [6]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, identifies this mystery with the Gospel itself, encompassing doctrines such as the Trinity, the incarnation of Christ, and the calling of Gentiles [7]. This divine truth, once concealed, is now revealed in the Good News, particularly concerning how God will unite all things under Christ's authority [9].

Afflictions are presented as beneficial in several ways:

While God appoints and regulates the measure and continuance of afflictions, He does not willingly send them (Lamentations 3:33) [3]. The mystery lies in how God uses these experiences for the "everlasting good of his people" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 8:35-39) [1]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, warns against wishing for death during affliction, noting that such a desire can be an insult to God's providence and may lead to eternal destruction if one is unprepared [8]. Instead, affliction, though severe (Job 16:7-16), is to be borne with patience by God's people (Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:12) [1].

The "secret of the Lord" is said to be with those who fear Him, encompassing His purposes in election, redemption, and providence, which are revealed to them through the Spirit [10]. This suggests that while the full scope of God's will may remain a mystery to some, those who earnestly seek to do His will gain understanding (John 7:17) [12]. The "mystery of godliness" itself, particularly the incarnation of Christ, is a profound truth that encourages both internal and external piety [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. Ephesians “Ephesians 1:9 (ASV) — making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him”
  3. 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; ”
  4. 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”
  5. 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”
  6. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:9: "He hath abounded," or "made (grace) to abound toward us" (Eph 1:8), in that He made known to us, namely, experimentally, in our hearts. the mystery--God's purpose of redemption hidden heretofore in His counsels, but now revealed (Eph 6:19; Rom 16:25; Col 1:26-27). This "mystery" is not like the heathen mysteries, which were imparted only to the initiated few. All Christians are the initiated. Only unbelievers are the uninitiated. according to his good pleasure--showing the cause why "He hath made known to us the mystery," namely, His own loving ”
  7. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,.... The Gospel, which is a mystery, a hidden mystery, the mystery of God and of Christ, and the mystery of the Gospel; the several doctrines of it are called the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; such as are concerning the trinity of persons in the Godhead, the union of the two natures in Christ, his sonship and incarnation, the saints' union and communion with him, the work of the Spirit of God upon the soul, the calling of the Gentiles, and the conversion of the Jews, the resurrection of the dead, and the change”
  8. Job (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Job 36:21: Regard not iniquity - It is sinful to entertain such wishes; it is an insult to the providence of God. He sends affliction; he knows this to be best for thee: but thou hast preferred death to affliction, thereby setting thy wisdom against the wisdom of God. Many in affliction, long for death; and yet they are not prepared to appear before God! What madness is this! If he takes them at their wish, they are ruined for ever. Affliction may be the means of their salvation; the wished-for death, of their eternal destruction.”
  9. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:8: 1:8-10 Wisdom and understanding come from the revelation of God’s mysterious will regarding Christ. In Paul’s writings, mysterious will (traditionally mystery) often refers to a divine truth formerly hidden but now revealed in the Good News (see 3:9). Here it refers to how God will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, so that he may be universally recognized and respected as Lord (see Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:16-20, 26-27; 2:2, 19; 4:3). Ephesians focuses specifically on the inclusion of Gentiles as well as Jews in God’s redeemed people (see Eph 3:”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:14: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him,.... The secret of his purposes with them; as his purpose according to election; his resolution to redeem his chosen ones by his Son; his design to call them by his grace; his predestination of them to the adoption of children, and eternal life; which are the deep things of God the Spirit of God reveals; and all which are made manifest to them in effectual calling; and the secret of his providences is with them; some are made known to them that fear the Lord before they come to pass; as the destruction of Sodom and Go”
  11. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness,.... What follows is so, the incarnation of Christ, his birth of a virgin, the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person; this is a mystery, which though revealed, and so to be believed, is not to be discerned nor accounted for, nor the modus of it to be comprehended by reason: and it is a great one, next, if not equal, to the doctrine of a trinity of persons in the divine essence; and is a mystery of godliness, which tends to encourage internal and external religion, powerful and practical g”
  12. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 7:17: If any man will do his will, &c.--"is willing," or "wishes to do." whether . . . of God, or . . . of myself--from above or from beneath; is divine or an imposture of Mine. A principle of immense importance, showing, on the one hand, that singleness of desire to please God is the grand inlet to light on all questions vitally affecting one's eternal interests, and on the other, that the want of his, whether perceived or not, is the chief cause of infidelity amidst the light of revealed religion.”
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