The first two chapters of Job are essential to the understanding
of the book. These verses take us behind the curtain.
In verse six of chapter one, the reader finds himself at the throne of God.
A conversation is going on. Let’s listen in.
The Lord: “From where do you come?”
Satan: “From going to and fro upon the earth,
and from walking up and down on it.”
The Lord: “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?”
Satan: “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you
not put a hedge around him and his house and all that
he has on every side? You have blessed the work of
his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has,
and he will curse you to your face.”
The Lord: “Behold, all that he has is in your hand.
Only against him do not stretch out your hand.”
My observations:
- Satan has great familiarity with earth and all that happens here.
- God echoes the very first verse of the chapter.
- God, not Satan, singles out Job.
- Satan gets huffy. Perhaps he has longed to make mischief.
- But God has put Job off limits.
- Satan is eager to see Job curse God.
- God gives Satan permission to take away all that Job holds dear.
I wonder, does God ever say, “have you checked out my friend Jane
who lives on a lake and has a cute dog named Jake?”
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