Job 1:6-12

I’ve heard it said that people love God like a farmer loves his cow—for the milk and cheese. Undoubtedly, many connect with God for the benefits. But what if all those benefits were taken away? Would we still love God? Would we still worship him? Satan asserts that humanity loves God only for the perks.

In Job 1, the angels stand before God to report on their ministries. Alongside them stands Satan, our adversary, who is constantly looking for a way to bring us down. He did not appear with horns and a pitchfork; instead, he stood in brilliance and beauty, just as God created him.

The Lord initiated the conversation. He asks Satan, “From where have you come?” (Job 1:7a). Satan responded that he had been “going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it” (Job 1:7b). The phrase “going to and fro” suggests that he is “hurrying rapidly to and fro.”^[1] Because of his success in tempting Adam and Eve and the subsequent infection of sin, Satan is referred to as the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31). Although he is not omnipresent, Satan swiftly moves throughout his domain to investigate the happenings of humanity. In his pride, he boldly informs God that he and his demons are on the prowl to destroy all who belong to the Lord (1 Pet. 5:8).

God continues the conversation with Satan by asking, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8). God reiterates the description of Job that we examined in the first verse of the book. Notice that in this interaction between Satan and God, the name used for God is “LORD.” Yahweh represents the personal God who loves us intimately and has engaged in a covenant relationship with us. God takes pride in his children and highlights Job in particular. He could not find a better example of someone who loves him. In addition to Job’s attributes, he was “the greatest of all the people of the east” (Job 1:3).

Satan was not impressed. He asked, “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” (Job 1:9b-10). We will consider three crucial points to note in Satan’s response.

First, Satan is the evil accuser who makes his case against us. Zechariah had a vision in which a high priest named Joshua stood before the angel of the Lord, and Satan was “standing at his right hand to accuse him” (Zech. 3:1). The Hebrew word for “accuse” is “satan.” Used as a verb, it means to “be at enmity with” or “to be hostile toward.” Essentially, Satan was standing at the right hand of the high priest to “satan” him! In Revelation 12:10, Satan is referred to as “the accuser of our brothers . . . who accuses them day and night before our God.” The Hebrew terms “accuser” (kategor) and “accuses” (kategoreo) serve as both a noun and a verb. Satan’s name aptly describes his character and his actions.

What accusations does Satan bring against us? A better question is: What claims doesn’t he bring against us? We know our deceitful hearts (Jer. 17:9), our evil thoughts, and our sinful actions. Furthermore, Satan has God’s law on his side. Remember, the law serves as our tutor, showing us that by our efforts we can’t please God (Gal. 3:24). We can never measure up to God’s holy standard. But Jesus, who never broke the law, came to bear the punishment for those who constantly break it.

In his classic allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, written in 1678, John Bunyan described the battle between Satan, who he calls Apollyon, and a follower of Jesus, who he aptly named Christian. One of Apollyon’s favorite things to recite is a list of Christian’s sins. He summarizes the list by saying that Christian is filled with pride in all his words and actions. Christian responds, “All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out: but the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive. I have groaned under [my sins], been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.” Bunyan concludes, “When the forgiveness of Jesus is mentioned, Apollyon flies into a rage. The accuser cannot handle the fact that his accusations are defeated by the grace of God in Christ.”[2]

Jesus, and only Jesus, makes us right with God. In Christ, we are justified—declared righteous. All of Satan’s allegations point back to Jesus. He is our Advocate against Satan’s charges. And Jesus wins every time!

Secondly, Satan attacks Job, asserting that he only fears God for the benefits he receives. He argues that Job’s blessings of a loving family and a successful business are the reasons for his devoted faith. Furthermore, Satan suggests that God has established a protective hedge around Job. He claims that Job’s love for God is contingent upon what God provides, likening it to that of a kept lover. He believes Job’s affection is insincere and is convinced that Job worships God merely to enjoy good fortune.

What about you? Why do you love God? What motivates you to worship him? Are you the farmer who loves his cow… solely for the milk and cheese?

Thirdly, Satan targets God. He claims that God purchases our worship. He resembles a grandparent who buys gifts for their grandchildren to encourage more visits. Without these blessings, God alone is insufficient. Satan contends, “Take away all the things you have given him, and he will curse you to your face” (Job 1:11).

In response to these charges, God told Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand” (Job 1:12a). God is sovereign. Satan can only act with God’s permission. Here, God allows Satan to test the integrity of Job’s faith. Satan may attack all that Job possesses but cannot cause bodily harm. “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12b). This sentence conveys the impression that a certain eagerness and confidence mark Satan’s departure.^[3]

This dialogue between God and Satan sets the stage for the catastrophes that follow. That’s where we’ll start next time.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Job 1:6-12
Observe Satan’s accusations against Job and God; he brings charges against us today. Here’s the key question: “Is God enough?”

Talking to God
Ask God to examine your heart. What is your motivation for worshiping him?

Have Questions?
Please ask if you have any questions about today’s reading or teaching. Our team is here to assist you as you explore God’s Word. Submit your question below, and we’ll reply soon.

For a deeper study of Satan’s work and the believer’s power to resist, check out my six-part sermon series Battle Ready HERE.

Be sure to listen to my conversation with Arie Harel about his mom and dad’s survival of the Holocaust and their response to God. Visit The Journey with Ron Moore Podcast, Episode 67 on your preferred podcast platform.

^[1] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 310.

[2]  John Bunyan, Edited by Roger Sharrock, The Pilgrim’s Progress (Oxford University Press, 2008), 124.

^[3] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Job 1:12.