Job (figure)

According to Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4, the “Satan” which accused Job, and the “Satan” which tempted Christ, could not have been that original author of the rebellion, the spirit-being cast out of heaven, since those angels who sinned and left their first estate are bound and awaiting judgement. Therefore, it only follows that these must be from among the number of the satanic entity which we may call the “seed of the serpent”, which are collectively Satan, or the Adversary, just as the children of Israel are collectively called the Anointed.

While one certainly cannot deny the existence of spirits and demons, individuals who “spiritualize” the Bible and look to “spiritual” explanations for its precepts are actually letting the devil off the hook, and are giving him license to do practically whatever he wants in this world. Just as the Genesis 3 serpent was a real person on this earth, so is that Satan who accused Job. Thus John says in his first epistle “Beloved, do not have trust in every spirit, but scrutinize whether the spirits are from of Yahweh, because many false prophets have gone out into Society.” The Christian's biggest failure is to ignore this advice of the apostle, and not act on it. Yet by all of this we can see, that when we fall victim to the banker or the prosecutor, it is a test for us, but it is ultimately for the glory of God.

In Matthew 4:5, the being tempting Christ is called ὁ διάβολος, literally “he who casts by”, used of a person who makes generally false accusations. In Revelation chapter 12 we saw equated “the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” All those who oppose God do such things, and therefore the idea of a false accuser is associated with the Adversary, or Satan, that entire race of the serpent's offspring which is called at Revelation “the accuser of our brethren”, an example of which is that devil which made false accusations concerning Job.

Rebukes of 'Friends'

Job 27: “1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

Job ruled over a magnificent household, and was an outstanding member of the community, but now he was humbled.

3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

Job was rejecting the unjust words of Bildad the Shuhite, found in chapter 25. If Job had agreed with these words, he would have been justifying Bildad. Many pastors foolishly take the words of Job's friends as Scripture, not realizing that in the dialogue they were all found wanting.

6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. 7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous. 8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul [meaning his life]? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?”

Trial

See Trial

Matthew 6:9 Therefore thusly are you to pray: ‘Our Father who is in the heavens: Your name must be sanctified; 10 Your kingdom must come; Your will must be done, as in heaven also upon the earth! 11 Give to us our bread sufficient for today, 12 and remit for us our debts, as we also have remitted for our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into trial, but deliver us from the Evil One.’

Yahweh tries no man, as the apostle James tells us. Yet Yahweh allowed Job to be tried by the Adversary. Yahweh tempts no man, but allows us to be tempted by the world. This seems to be a paradox, yet it is rather simple. While it may not have been the case with Job, most often when men are tempted it is due to their own lusts which they give in to, and this leads us to trial. Obeying the will of God, we would not give in to such worldly desires, and we would have a far less chance of being subjected to the trials of this world.