Finally, it's time to take up another type of Biblical book -- that of poetry. The Book of Job (pronounced like "Jobe") is written like a morality play, and it is also quite unusual for the Old Testament, since Satan (literal translation: "the Accuser") figures prominently. We look in at the beginning for some rather confusing comments.
Job 1:6-12 - One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil.” Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
There are some interesting questions to be asked about this. First off, it appears to me that translation from the original text must be quite difficult. Notice first the term "heavenly beings." This is a bad translation, it seems, as a footnote in my copy of the Bible indcates an alternative, more literal translation is "Sons of God." This makes me wonder how much the translation process was guided by doctrinal constraints rather than scholarly integrity. More about that issue in later studies.
Next we come to the verses concerning the wager. Satan says that Job wouldn't have such a cheery attitude if God would "touch all that he has." The reply from God is to give all Job's posessions (apparently these include his children) into Satan's power. It seems clear to me that God's hand and Satan are considered equivalent here. I find this most interesting, in light of the current understanding I hear from most Christians these days.
Comments?
