We discovered that the Riddle in Job concerns “Why bad things happen to good people.” Theologians call this “theodicy.” And it has occupied many people for thousands of years. As we mentioned, however, the book of job provides insight into that very question, not to Job, but to the reader, by interjecting two nearly identical scenes early in the book.
They both begin with the same words:
There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” Job 1: 6-7 NASB
An ancient reader or listener to this story would recognize this as a Royal Court, with the princes and governors of various provinces reporting to the ruler. Perhaps a more familiar idea for us would be the CEO of a corporation with the various division heads reporting to him on the status of of the business. The words “and Satan also came among them” indicate that Satan did not belong to the group — he crashed the party, so to speak. And the term “Satan” refers to an office, rather than the name of an individual. “Satan” in this setting means “adversary” or “accuser.” In the israelite justice system, the judge served as an advocate for the defendant, and the adversary served as prosecution, “accusing” the defendant of some crime.
Reinforcing the fact that Satan has essentially crashed the meeting, “The LORD said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’” In other words, “These others — the Sons of God — belong here. But you don’t represent any part of my realm. Why are you here?” This bolsters the idea that the Sons of God represent various provinces or regions of God’s realm.
“Satan answered the Lord and said. ’From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.’” In short, “I rule the world.” The Hebrew indicates the roaming and walking are what we would call “patrolling.” It’s the same Hebrew figure speech used in Genesis 3:8, where God is described as “walking in the garden in the cool of the day.”
Then God says “Have you considered my servant Job?” The simple fact that Job serves God challenges Satan’s claim.
“Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a fence 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. But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.’”
In its most basic form the dispute revolves around the question, “Who is the legitimate ruler of the earth?” Satan asserts his claim to be that ruler. God counters that Job still serves Him. Satan then challenges whether that service arises from a heartfelt and legitimate loyalty, or whether it is purchased with material blessings.
But note carefully who Satan accuses. He does not say Job has done anything wrong. On the contrary, he seems to regard Job’s behavior as a normal response. In other words, the relationship between Job and God is not one of trust, but merely transactional—Job serves God and receives God’s blessings in return. Remove those benefits, and Job will serve Satan instead .In simple terms, Satan charges God with bribing Job. Read that again. Satan does not accuse Job of wrongdoing, he accuses God. God is on trial here.
In response to this, God does something shocking! “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.’ So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.”
The second scene differs only in details. Once again the Sons of God present themselves to God, and once again Satan turns up and crashes the party. Since the destitute Job still trusts God, Satan ups the ante. Yes he lost his possessions, but let me afflict his body, and he will curse you and show I’m right.
Once again God relents, and Satan strikes Job with terrible sores and horrific pain.
The riddle was “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The two scenes in the heavenly court tell us that God is the one being accused, that some sort of cosmic conflict has spilled over on to Job. But why should that be? Why does God allow Satan to visit such trials on Job?
Those on earth see the conflict very differently than do those in heaven. And those differences explain the mystery, and introduce an enigma.
- Heavenly Court Scene: This scene in heaven opens when “the sons of God” present themselves to the Lord, and Satan, described not as an individual but as an “adversary” or “accuser,” crashes the gathering.
- Satan’s Role: Satan accuses God of bribing Job by providing material prosperity, so God allows Satan to test Job’s loyalty by taking away his possessions, and later afflicting his body, in order to challenge Satan’s claim that Job’s devotion is merely transactional.
- Cosmic Conflict: The trials Job faces are seen as part of a larger cosmic conflict, where Satan accuses God, not Job, of being manipulative. The difference in perspective between the heavenly and earthly views of the conflict explain why it contunes.
