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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Job 1:8
Then the Lord said to Satan “Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
What was God doing talking to Satan?
If the book of Esther raises questions because it doesn’t mention God directly, Job must be one of the most controversial books, along with John’s Gospel and Revelation. John’s Gospel and Revelation we will consider later.
Job. This book poses some very difficult theological questions. However, my purpose is not to be theological but rather to look at Scripture and try to understand it and where each book ‘fits in’ to the overall ‘big picture and plan’ of God. Also to recognise those ‘Rings of Truth’!
In one way Job stands out on its own, but in a lot of ways, it is only understood within the context of the whole. Yet we understand the ‘whole’ a lot more accurately and practically by studying Job. Job gives us a glimpse of how spiritual wars in the heavenlies are waged on earth; how there are definitely two spiritual forces in direct conflict - good and evil, but it also reveals that those forces are not impersonal. God, the Creator of the Universe, is good. Satan, the created ‘fallen’ angel, is evil. It also reveals that God’s power is almighty and limitless whereas Satan’s power is limited.
Our verse for today makes three very profound statements:
Firstly, God looks down and sees each one of us. Yes, He looked and saw Job - and Job was good - but God goes on to say, “There is no one on earth like him” (1:8). This tells us that total comparison has been made with everyone else. It is vital that we grasp this because it is a fundamental Biblical principle. We do not just exist. We do not even exist just for ourselves.
Secondly, we are held accountable - not just to our family, employer and society - we are totally accountable to the all-seeing, holy God who will be our final Judge. A truly awesome truth and prospect. God not only sees us now, but also one day we will stand before Him, accountable for all we have done, said and thought. That should at least make us more circumspect in our daily walk.
Thirdly, it shows us that God talks to Satan.
Scripture suggests that that is God’s prerogative.
In Zechariah we read, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan” (3:2).
Jesus rebuked Satan when tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-12) and Jude says that even the Archangel Michael did not dare to accuse Satan but said, “The Lord rebuke you” (v 9).
Job also shows that Satan has extraordinary power but cannot exert that power beyond the limits God has set - “but on the man himself do not lay a finger” (see 1:12).
So be encouraged, Satan doesn’t have total influence over you. You are still in God’s safe hands. Go then, in peace and joy today, knowing God is in final control.
He knows all about you and your circumstances. He will not allow anything to happen to you that He has not already set the boundaries around in order to keep you safe.
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