God had given a lesson designed to prevent this. The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel did not understand the lesson. The same error for which God had reproved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their rejection of Christ.

Gud har givet os en lære med henblik på at hindre dette. Jobs historie har vist os, at lidelse påføres af Satan og beherskes af Gud til barmhjertighedens formål. Men Israel forstod ikke denne belæring. Den samme vildfarelse, for hvilken Gud havde dadlet Jobs venner, gentog sig hos jøderne ved deres forkastelse af Kristus.