Explore the Bible: June 6

Faith Tested • Job 1:8-22

By Beth S. Bowman

Knowing the backstory to any story is important, and the story of Job is no exception. In Job 1:1-4, Job’s backstory helps us understand the journey of Job and aids us in recognizing his dedication to God in every single season.

Job was a very wealthy man. His wealth included 7,000 sheep and goats, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. In addition, he had a very large number of servants.  In verse three, the Bible states, “Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east (CSB).” His family was also a source of great admiration in that he had seven sons and three daughters.

Evidently, the family enjoyed a strong bond because the brothers took turns having banquets in their homes and included their sisters. Part of Job’s incredible reputation and influence must have been reflected in the harmony of his household.

The pivotal part of the backstory, though, is found in the first verse of Job. After stating Job’s name and his hometown, verse one continues: “He (Job) was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil (CSB).”

Steven J. Lawson, founder and president of One Passion Ministries in Dallas, explains it this way: “Job was blameless. This does not mean Job was sinless, but blameless. There is a huge difference. Sin is vertical, blameless is horizontal… as Job lived before the watchful eye of his peers, no one could justly charge Job with moral failure. His reputation was impeccable.”

Job had a regular practice of offering sacrifices on behalf of his sons and daughters. As a Godly parent and spiritual leader, Job recognized that he needed to depend on God’s intervention for his children. This was another way that Job stood before God as a man of complete integrity.

The last part of the story that sets up this lesson is found in verses six and seven. Satan shows up with angels as they come to present themselves before God. The Lord asks Satan where he has come from and Satan replies that he has been roaming and walking around the earth. The fact that Satan does roam the earth is confirmed in 1 Peter 5:18 which states, “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”

In the Biblical account of Job, Satan is looking toward Job. The Lord asks Satan if he had considered Job and Satan answers in a way that indicates that Satan has considered Job but feels that God has placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns. Satan tells God that Job would “surely curse you to your face” (Job 1:11 CSB) if God were to take away His protection and blessing.

Satan was insisting Job’s godliness was fake and that Job served God for what he could get from God. Satan saw a man that he believed he could capture away from God. God saw Job as strong, capable, and focused. God knew Job’s dedication came from a place of sacred worship, and He was confident Job would not be swayed to sin and rebellion.

God extends limited permission for Satan to attack Job. Satan could now touch the things Job owned but at this point he could not lay a hand on Job himself. Satan could not touch Job’s health and life — only his possessions.

God holds power over Satan and sin. This is a pivotal theological point. Although Satan has limited permission, God has ultimate authority.

As this lesson unfolds, it reminds us that we continue to wrestle with the question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. This particular passage helps us rest in knowing God’s permissive will does not negate what we know about His character.

God is loving, caring, and good. He continues to be loving, caring, and good as he allows Satan permission to create diversions in our lives, knowing that ultimately our love of God and the things of God will outlive short term disappointments and loss.

At the end of this lesson, Satan leaves the Lord’s presence. I am sure Satan felt that he had won the first round as he began planning the destruction of Job.

Bowman, a member of West Carthage Church, is a speaker/writer. She may be contacted at beth@bethbowman.net.