Job 1:9-12
We are studying our adversary, the devil, this year and we have four events in the OT in which Satan plays a major role. One of those is the book of Job. We just studied Job this past summer. The lessons are on our YouTube page.
Let’s enrich our spiritual lives by considering the fact that despite what Job is going through, God has Satan on a leash. Satan is limited in what he can do to Job. To use another metaphor, Satan wears shackles.
JOB IS A GODLY MAN – 1:1-5:
Job had been blessed by God, indeed. He had seven sons; in an agrarian society that would be very beneficial in helping in the fields. He also had three daughters who would have helped Job’s wife considerably in managing the house and home.
SATAN IS AN UNGODLY ACCUSER – 1:6-22:
Job is not suffering because of Job’s sins! Job is a godly man.
In a real sense, God is on trial. Is He worth serving even if He does not give us things (1:9-12)? In your life and mine… Is God worth serving and worshiping if our lives are not going well? If I have poor health, is God worth serving and worshiping? If I am having financial troubles and God has not eased those worries, is He still worthy to be worshiped and served? The question of the book of Job is a very relevant question for me and you today. Just why do we love God?
But the point we want to make here is that God has Satan limited (1:12). Satan can only do to Job as much as God will allow him.
SATAN IS AN UNGODLY ACCUSER – ROUND #2 – 2:1-8:
Having failed in that initial mission, Satan goes for round two. Let’s read the second conversation between Satan and God; 2:1-6. Notice God’s assessment of Job: he still holds fast his integrity. In other words, God told Satan: “You LOST Round #1!”
Satan has a second proposal: “Put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.” Affect the man’s health, the adversary says, and he’ll curse you. Every man has a price right? At some point, every man and woman will curse God – all Satan has to do is squeeze the vice tighter. That’s his implication. How true is it? That’s a question only you and I can answer.
But observe once again that God has Satan shackled. There is only so much Satan can do against Job; he is limited.
The fact that Satan is shackled, limited, hand-cuffed by God in his temptations of us is a promise from the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Follow Jesus and watch as Satan’s limits are revealed. Stand strong in His Word!
Paul Holland