Faith Like Job Part 1

Faith Like Job Part 1

The story of Job is also attributed to the time of Solomon, although it is probably an older tale that may have been written down at that time. In the story Satan, described as one of the sons of God, dares God to allow him to test the faith of Job, a man declared by God to be "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1) and properly in fear of God.

Satan argues that Job is faithful only because he has been blessed with great possessions and a fine family. "Put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face," he challenges. (Job 1:11) God accepts Satan's challenge and gives him leave to take away from Job his possessions, and his family, but not to touch the person of Job himself.

Then enemy nomads murder Job's servants, the "fire of God" (Job 1:16) falls from heaven upon his herds, and his children are killed by a great wind from the wilderness. When he learns of these calamities Job tears his robe and worships, saying, "naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:20-21)

With pride in the strength of Job's faith God boasts to Satan of Job's integrity, "although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause." (Job 2:3) Satan's reply is to dare God: "touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 3:5) So the Lord once more puts Job into the power of Satan, requiring only that Job's life be spared.