Job 2:1-10
2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.
9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Job 2:1-10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Angels of God ascend the ladder to heaven and present themselves before God. Satan is among these Angels who presents himself before God. He has come up the ladder from wandering the earth. What was Satan doing?
Satan sees the wickedness of humanity. Satan recognizes that humans will kill and curse in order to save their own skin. People will destroy other people's lives and curse their gods in order to protect property, family and even their own flesh. Therefore, even the Lord's pride and joy in Job is misplaced.
The Lord on the other hand allows Satan to do his worst. Satan "struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." Yet, even as Job suffers he still can tell his wife, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" Praise God for the good things and the evil things that happen to us.
No matter what may happen to us in this life, God has shown us the way to eternal life. He has shown us the suffering of his own Son. Do we deserve better? But God in his great mercy has given us forgiveness of sins. God has prepared a place in the Heavenly Jerusalem for you.
The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our victory has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
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