The Conversation Part One (the Hedge)

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

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

And the LORD 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?

Job 1:6-8

I recently reread this account in my Bible and as always, the Lord showed me many new things that were too good not to share.  First, I will share what my Study Bible says on these verses, and then share what the Lord showed me.

Vs6- The sons of God, angels.  This interpretation harmonizes with the fact that Satan, himself an angelic being, joined them on this occasion.

Vs7-Satan.  It is clear from this passage that Satan is a person, not just an evil influence.

    1-He conversed with the Lord, which required intellect

    2-He was antagonistic toward Job showing that he has emotions

    3-He purposed to destroy Job and disgrace God, demonstrating that Satan has a will.  Satan's activities, however, are limited by the Sovereign control of God.

Consistently throughout Scripture, Satan is presented as both a real person and a spirit being.  His name means, 'adversary' characterizing his basic nature, which is to oppose God's Person, His plan and His people in the earth.  Satan had access to the earth and freedom to roam around on it.  He still has this freedom and will continue to exercise it until he is bound for a thousand years during the Millennium and then cast into the lake of fire.

Vs8-The Omniscient Lord initiates this conversation that leads to Job being tested and pays the highest tribute to the character of Job.

The Ryrie Study Bible

My thoughts-

There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD-

    We all have ministering angels.  I wonder if this was a conversation where God would instruct His servants and tell them who to minister to?

I find it quite interesting that Satan would intrude; like he was still part of the assembly, like he had the 'right' to be there.

But isn't that just like Satan to go before God to accuse the Brethren?

When the LORD asks Satan where he had been, He already knew-yet when God asks a question, it will be answered.

Satan was still under the Authority of God.

And he still is.

Satan doesn't just have 'free-reign.'  God is still in control.  Everything has to be allowed by God before anything can touch us.

I find great comfort in that.  Do you?

Satan's domain was the earth.  What was Satan doing?  He was walking around and like other Scripture tells us, he has a purpose to seek out and to destroy and to devour anyone he happens to meet...

with God's permission.

The LORD already knew the heart of his servant, Job.  God asked Satan if he had considered "MY" servant Job?

I love that word, 'my.'  Job belonged to God.

Consider means- to think about carefully, to think of especially with regard to take action.

God was directing Satan's attention towards his servant, Job.

God already knew that Job could handle the test and would do so in a way that would defeat Satan and bring honor and glory to God.

    I had to ask myself: Could God ask Satan to 'consider' me?  Do I have a testimony worthy of testing?  

Job had a testimony that was without disgrace.  No one could say anything bad about Job.  He was perfect, upright, feared God and shunned evil.

    Could that be said of me?  Could that be said of you?

Sometimes when we go through a trial we wonder why?  Job's 'friends' thought Job deserved to be punished, that perhaps Job had done something to bring this upon himself, but that wasn't why.

Trials will sometimes come about to prove what we are truly made of-

To show Who we truly depend on-

And to help the ones who witness what we are going through.

    Can we accept what God is allowing in our lives?

    Are we trusting God no matter what?

    Are we bringing honor and glory to God?

May God help all of us to remember that whatever it is that we are going through, God is allowing it for a purpose.

    To refine us...

        to help us grow...

            and to mirror the image of our Saviour.

                But that's just me!