Job Chapter 1

Summarrium

The chapter introduces Job as a righteous and prosperous man, whose faith is then tested by God in a heavenly exchange with 'the accuser'. The accuser challenges God asserting that Job is only faithful because of the Lords favour and protection. God permits the accuser to strip Job of his wealth, family, and property but forbids harming Job himself. Despite the loss of all things, Job responds by worshiping God, affirming his faith and acknowledging God that the Lord both gives and takes away.

1. Lectio

The full chapter is available here.

2. Mediatio

The strangeness of verses 6-12 cannot be overstated. There is much that is unclear, much that is called into question about our understanding. Firstly who are the sons of god that are presenting themselves and why is the accuser among them? Furthermore why do most of the popular translation attribute this to Satan? This particular passage does not offer us insight into this and as such we can either conclude (a) that we lack the perspicuity to understand what is meant because we lack an understanding of how this is being used, or (b) it doesn't matter.

Indeed it is possible both (a) and (b) are true, but that is not the point I am interested in. There are three things that struck me about this:

1. The accuser is accountable to the lord

We observe that it is the accuser that is required to report to the lord, not the otherway around. Not only this but he is required to account for (a) his origins, and (b) his actions despite the lord already knowing this. We might consider this similar to the Lords question to Adam¹. The accusers response here is also interesting the amplified bible puts it in perhaps its cleanest form: 'From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it'. Roaming and walking to which the other translations also allude carries with it a certain futility. Such that the Lords response 'Have you considered Job' makes a peculiar kind of sense. Almost as if the Lord were suggesting there was a productive endevour which the accuser might participate within.

2. The accuser's power is limited

In verse 12 we observe some other interesting points around power. Firstly the Lord determines who holds what power, and the extent to which that power can be exercised. Secondly that as a direct result the accuser is granted limited power to determine if (as he has suggested) it is only because the Lord has blessed Job that he remains righteous.

3. The assumption that the accuser is Satan

Within almost all translations making this connection (I observed this in the KJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, and RSV). This is interesting given it isn't often that in Christian thought that so many individuals agree on a single point. Some have concluded that the 'sons of god' suggested in verse 6 were Angels and therefore Satan was among them given he too was an Angel. This argument is not one I particularly care about what is of interest here is why the assumption this is Satan.

Whilst (3) perhaps seems the least significant observation it is an interesting pointer to the role and importance of tradition in Christian thought. Does this entity have to be one and the same? Does it matter if they are or are not? It would seem to be the case that it does. However (1) and (2) are also of interest. That the Lord still holds the accuser to account and points him towards the examplar of a human being is fascinating. Furthermore that the Lord would seek to demonstrate to the accuser the Lords

Far from being a 'bet' between Satan and the Lord, as has been characterised to me in the past, this feels far more like an object lesson in suffering at Jobs expense. This is not to negate the challenges of acknoweldging the sheer amount of suffering and death the Lord has permitted. I certainly cannot justify or account for why such an act might be justified but fortunately I am not require to account for the Lords actions, merely accountable to the Lord for my own.

Herein lies an important reality that will become increasingly relevant as the narrative progresses.

3. Oratio

Lord, thank you for your mercy towards us.
Thank you that there are limits to the accusers power.
Thank you that you hold to account all that you have made.
Would your kingdom be advanced not in abstraction but reality.
Would we observe the redemption of all creation.
Would you bring an end to the suffering found in my life and others.
Thank you that one day this will be realised in fullness.
Would you make us Christ-like in our bearing of suffering
Would you keep us from falling as we face adversity
Would you help us to like Job respond in ways that bear fruit in bringing glory to your name.
Amen.

4. Contemplatio

I could not contemplate; the environment was not conducive.