No 9 Eyes Everywhere Watching Job

God’s side of the Controversy → →    Job   ← ← Satan’s side of the Controversy

Both sides of the Controversy were watching Job. Both sides were well-aware of him. Eyes everywhere. The eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zech 4:10) were watching Job.. Satan’s eyes were looking around when he was going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it (Job 1:6). Both knew Job well. But only one side of the Controversy could call Job “Servant.” One cannot serve both sides of the Controversy. One will hate the one side and love the other. And Job was clearly sided with God.

What Are You Doing Here?

It is surprising to learn, as many new readers of the Book of Job will admit, that Jesus initiates the interaction. In this segment of Job, I like to refer to Jesus's Warrior name of Michael (see Footnote below). Michael is the first to speak. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? (Job 1:7).

Did Michael have to ask? Isn’t He all-knowing? Isn’t it true there is nothing he does not know? Why then should he have to ask, “What are you doing here, Satan? Where do you come from?” Michael asked intentionally and purposefully for reasons. Michael is setting up a challenge here. Don’t you hear it? He is going to challenge Satan’s claim to total possession and total control of earth. Michael is going to challenge Satan’s claim that everyone on earth honors him as king―that everyone is his subject. Michael asks the question, Satan can only answer.

The God of the Universe is in charge and speaks first. “Have you considered the matchless character of My servant Job?” The lesser of the two retorts: “No wonder he sees fit to behave as he does.” God catches the slur immediately. The challenge is on. 

As such, Satan’s challenge is really against God more than against Job. Satan is wanting to use Job to prove his point. Satan intends this test―to accomplish two objectives:
❶ He wants the outcome to reflect badly on Job, first of all.
❷ Then he wants the outcome of the trial to ultimately reflect badly upon God Himself.

Satan believes he can use Job to defeat God. 

Michael knows He can use Job to defeat Satan.

The story of Job is built upon what Satan believes he knows.

The story is beautiful because God is confident. He knows He knows.

Satan Wants to Smear God’s Character

From this view, the story of Job is not the account of a man who suffers tremendous calamities. The Book of Job is the account of Satan’s attempt to damage God’s character. Satan desires to expose God as having misplaced His confidence in His followers. Thus begins the strange story of a remarkably innocent man suffering severely as a result of a challenge made between two beings in a meeting in heaven.

Michael: “Why are you here?” (Of course, He knows the answer.) 

Satan: “I have been ranging over my dominion." 

Michael: “Are you implying that everything on earth is yours―that everything on earth belongs to you―that you have complete control of earth?”. 

Satan: “Of course. It is my kingdom. I go where I want to go. I do what I want to do." 

Michael: “I beg to differ with you. Everything on earth is not yours. I have my interests on earth as well. Have you (in all your ranging to and fro and up and down) happened to come across a man named Job yet?”

And, just in case Satan was not properly identifying the correct Job, Michael clarifies his description: “You know. The righteous one. The one unique in all the world. The perfect and upright one. The shunner-of evil-at-any-cost one. The lovingly fearful one. You know the one that I am talking about, right?” And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8).

“Yes,” Satan replies. “Yes, I know him well.” How many times―how many hundreds of times, Satan had tried to trip Job up and bring him down--but couldn’t. Couldn’t touch him. There was nothing in Job that responded to anything Satan had to offer. “Of course, I know him!” Satan had many, many times found Job to be invincible. To be impregnable. And Oh how he wanted to break him down!

The focus shifts from Satan’s control―walking to and fro and going up and down―to God’s control (of at least one person). God didn’t have to mention Job here, did He? But He did. Michael challenges Satan’s claim to complete control of earth. There is at least one person over whom you have no sway. Have you happened to come across a man named Job yet? I don’t think you have any control over Job. Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth? (Job 1:8).

Satan Takes Up the Challenge
Satan takes up the challenge in his cutting reply―”Of course, I have. I know Job. Who doesn’t? But let me tell You one thing You don’t know about Job, God! You don’t know WHY Job worships You. You think he loves You for love’s sake. I tell You, he loves You because You pay him so well to love You!” [Satan really does believe that every being is as selfish as he is.] "You are making a claim that cannot be substantiated," Satan accuses. "The man isn't all that good! And You can't see it!"

How proud Michael is to point Job out. Has Michael inadvertently backed Himself into a corner? Satan is throwing aspersions around like darts. And remember all the ears which are hearing this conversation:

❶ The fallen angels

❷ The loyal angels

❸ The sons of God (Job 1:6)

❹ The leaders of the unfallen worlds

❺ Enoch [Genesis 5:22-24 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Gen 5:22-24)].

Truly, people who do exploits for God on earth may become spectacles for God throughout the universe. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men (1 Cor 4:9).

The Book of Job Turns on These Two Questions
A. Michael’s Question to Satan
Everything that the book is about comes to the crux when Michael asks Satan the question, Have you considered My servant Job?
B. Satan Retorts with a Question to Michael
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (Job 1:9).
Satan makes the allegation that Job is pretending to be loyal to God. Satan, in effect, is saying, “Job plays the part and acts so well because You pay him so well. Job is only pretending to be loyal because of what he gets out of it―what You do for him. In truth, God, You have hired him to pretend to be loyal. This is not salvation! This is a business transaction! The man You call perfect and upright I call a crook.”

Someone once said, “One of the devil’s wiliest tricks is to destroy the best by the good.” Job is too strong for Satan to bring down. So Satan will use his strength against him. And Satan will use Job’s strength to try to beat God down. Satan’s new tactic on this visit to the Heavenly Courts is to try to beast Job on goodness. Since he can’t beat Job on badness, he’s going to beat Job on goodness. He’s going to throw Job’s goodness in His (God’s) face. Satan is in effect saying, ”God, I know something You don’t know. I’m sure You don’t realize the  true reason Job serves You so well. I’m sure You don’t. So I’m going to tell You. I’m going to enlighten You, God. Job isn’t serving You for spiritual reasons. He is serving You for everything he can get out of You. He’s out to drain Your bucket dry!”

The War is On
Of the many reasons, for which I like the Book of Job, here is the finest. The Book presents the Lord as dynamic and with a take-charge attitude. Jesus as Michael does not lack energy, strength, or courage. Michael is not feeble, timid, or ineffectual. He is in charge. He is the One asking the first questions. Satan must do the answering. And while Satan may throw back with a question, Jesus is ready to respond. Michael’s first question was Where do you come from? (Job 1:7). The Lord’s second question was Have you considered? (Job 1:8). Satan responds with Doth Job fear God for nought? (Job 1:9).

The Great Controversy is engaged in these words. The war is on. Jesus Christ has never lost a battle to Satan in the Great Controversy. And the Bible assures us that Jesus Christ wins the war. Those aligning with Christ are victors--they’re on the winning side!

I am glad to be on the winning side of the Great Controversy. Aren’t you?

Please send questions or comments to Will Hardin at P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.

Footnotes

Jesus as Michael.  Michael is Jesus’ name when He is in His Office of War. A Warrior. A King at war. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev 12:7-9).

In Bible symbolism, when a king stands, it is to war. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (Dan 12:1). When Jesus returns in His Second Coming, He comes as a King to war. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:11-16).

In this study, I will use His Michael name.