Sparring

Job 1:6

6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yehovah, and Satan came also among them.

The sons of God refers to the angelic host.  They came before God.  Even Satan showed up that day.  God asks Satan what he has been up to, Job 1:7.

7And Yehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Yehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Satan has been going to and fro, walking up and down.  Satan did that then for the same reason he does it today, 1 Peter 5:8.

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Satan is looking for someone he can use to his advantage.  He is looking for a particular person that leaves themselves exposed.

What comes next is not a simple question.  It is more of a  statement by God, in your face Satan.  This is because typically Satan is looking for the easy prey.  Which is no different than what a lion will do when it attacks the herd, Job 1:8.

 8And Yehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

God asks Satan why do you not take on Job for a while.  Now do not think that God was offering up Job or that Job deserved some punishment.  Because God then gives His appraisal of Job.  It is the only appraisal that matters.  God considers Job a perfect and upright man.  Job fears God and avoids evil.  This is the second time this has been stated.  However, it is Satan’s response that is so telling, because this is not just your run of the mill conversation.  These two are sparring and Job is the least of Satan’s concern.  God knows exactly who He is dealing with and Satan is no fool, Job 1:9.

9Then Satan answered Yehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

There is something in this statement that can be easily missed if one is not attentive.  Basically, what Satan is saying is that Job fears God for a reason.  Satan is attempting to undermine God’s appraisal of Job.  Not that God would change His mind, but the reader would tend to think less of Job.  In a way, Satan is accusing God of being naive or possibly selfish in His appraisal of Job.

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