17/02/2023
THE MESSAGE OF THE JOB STORY: GOD’s DEBATE WITH THE DEVIL – Job 1:6-12
Many views this passage in a way that misinforms the proper concept of the scenario here. Many views it as a case where the devil came to GOD in a rather peaceful condition than in a hostile one as we know of the conflict between GOD and the devil. Many concluded that GOD and Satan were having a seemingly peaceful conversation where GOD gambled with the life of Job with little care for him, on the basis that GOD can choose to do whatever pleases HIM. This view significantly sways our attention from the real message passed here.
“and Satan came also among them… “ – Job 1:6, Satan came before GOD as an accuser of the people of GOD, and primarily to taunt GOD who has created man for HIS ultimate purpose. After the fall of man, and the beginning of the devil’s rule of darkness in the kingdom of men, to work all evil works through them, this being contrary to the life ordained for them from creation – the life of GOD, which makes them into the image and likeness of GOD (Gen.1:26;2:7).
The ultimate purpose of GOD was to purge all creation of the existence of evil and darkness that has plagued it – the ultimate redemption of creation (Rom.8:21). GOD, making man HIS prime creation through whom HE will fulfill this purpose, proclaiming the blessings upon him, “… be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it… “ – Gen. 1:28, the devil figured that the purpose of the creation of man was to eliminate the existence of evil and replenish the whole creation with the light of the glory of GOD. So he went after man, and corrupted him to eliminate the life of GOD in them and awaken the nature of evil in them – the death referred to in Genesis 2:17.
Especially when GOD reveals HIS ultimate purpose for the creation of man in that HE will raise a Savior from the seed of the woman, who will crush the devil (Gen.3:15), the devil relentlessly went after the children of man to ensure that no seed of the woman will be able to rise up to fulfill this purpose of crushing him. This has been the conflict (Rev.12:3,4).
The debate between GOD and the devil in this passage of job is one of those debates when the devil comes to taunt GOD, challenging HIM to show him (the devil) what HE (GOD) has to challenge him with, claiming that he has the whole earth under his surveillance (Job 1:7NLT), and that he is able to ensure the continuity of the existence of evil and darkness, and the continuous enslavement of humanity to the sinful nature, and the prevention of the emergence of the seed of the woman that will crush him. The devil is simply just full of himself.
GOD likes to prove to Satan in times like this that HE is more than able to raise a light that will extinguish the darkness and the evil existence of the devil, and that HE will surely fulfill the ultimate redemption of humanity, and that even if it’s just one man that is left on earth that walks uprightly before HIM, such person is enough to fulfill this purpose (Job 1:8). So, GOD challenged the devil will Job, an upright man and perfect before GOD (there was none like him on earth then), to prove that the devil can never win, even if the world just had one Job.
Those that fears GOD and walk uprightly before HIM have their lives preserved in GOD, the devil can’t touch their lives. Although, all they have may be used as a tool for tribulation and temptation, the most important thing was never all those things a man of GOD possesses, rather, it is his life in GOD. That was why GOD gave all that Job has, even his children, into the hands of the devil, but denied the devil Job’s life (Job 1:12;2:6), to show that Job doesn’t need all those things to overcome the devil, Job’s life in GOD and his uprightness is enough proof that he can withstand the devil in this evil world and be immovable in GOD, whatever the circumstances.
Job overcame the devil, even when the devil took everything from him. Job proved that a life in GOD is the overcomers’ life and not a life that will cowardly surrender to the devil when such a tribulation comes. Surely, we are more than conquerors through CHRIST that loves us (Rom.8:37).
GOD is seeking for people like Job, whose faith in HIM is like a precious gold, tried with a great fire, to only be made purer, brighter and stronger (1Pet.1:7), people in whom GOD can trust and boast confidently in, that, as long as the world still has them in it, there is a sure hope for the redemption of creation, and the devil will never win.
The world may be filled with darkness, but, this is a true saying, if everyone in the world has joined with darkness, there will always remain, at least, one person that will stand with the light. If it’s just one person, he/she is just who GOD needs to replenish the earth with the light of HIS glory and fulfill HIS ultimate purpose of redemption of all creation.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 KJV