God, Satan and Job Part 2: Satan's Devices

Isa 14:14 Satan wants man to think he is like the most high and that God is just as evil as himself.

·       Since Satan could never be like the Most High, the only way for him and God to be seen as alike is for Satan to attempt to bring God down to his level in the eyes of the world.

Cor 2:11b We are not to ignorant of Satan’s devices. (ways he uses to bring God down in the eyes of the world)

Rom 13:12 with Eph 6:11 Why? Eph 6:12

John 10:10a: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  . .  .

In Chapter 1 there are 4 specific attacks upon Job by Satan.

1.     V15: Sabeans  Joel 3: 6-8 God will use them in judgment against the Tyre and Zidon (stole and killed)

2.     V16: Fire from heaven (destroyed)

3.     V17: Chaldeans, the people of Babylon, God gave Judah and Jerusalem into their hand for 70 years (stole and killed)

4.     V19: Wind from the wilderness (killed)

“I only am escaped alone to tell thee” (V15,16,17,19) Four servants were spared to tell Job of the tragic events. These events happened in one day. “While he was yet speaking” (V16,17,18) Job had no chance to respond to the first attack.

·       Satan used people (Sabeans & Chaldeans) whom God would later use in judgment in his desire to mimic the LORD.

·       Consider this: his oxen and his camels were taken alive; Satan burned up his sheep.

Ø    Sheep were the symbol of wealth to most nations.

Ø    Fire of God from heaven: The servant felt that since it came from above it had to be from God. Satan used what the LORD often used in judgment. (Gen 19:24)

Ø    Satan wanted Job to believe The LORD brought judgment upon Job’s wealth.

Ø    (Eph 2:2) Satan prince and power of the air.

Ø    The sheep could not be driven away quickly they would not follow an unknown people,

Ø    The firstlings of the flock were likely the burnt offerings Job offered in 1:5. (Gen 4:4)

Ø    Satan wants to destroy God’s sheep (Israel 40:10-11) (Christians John 10:14-16, 26- 27) 1Pet 5:8

V19 Satan used the wind from the wilderness to kill Job’s children.

·       Jere 4:11; 13:24; Gen 41:6, 27 Satan used what God would liken his judgment to. Where did Israel sojourn for 40 years?

·       Gen 8:1; God also used the wind to stop the rain and push the waters into their place.

Job 2:5-7 The boils sent by Satan. Satan mimicked God again.

·       Ex 9:8-11 boils from ashes from “the” furnace

·       Deu 20:27 whereof thou canst not be healed

The Sabeans attacked first, the Chaldeans were third. Between these attacks fire from heaven fell; Satan wanted Job to thinks God was right in the middle of the attack upon his substance.

Satan also tried to make it appear that the LORD was also the end of his losses with the killing of his children and the suffering from the boils

Satan wanted Job to wrongly accuse God and curse Him (V2:5b).

·       Could Satan have thought that since he could not kill Job, maybe he could get God to kill him?

·       Job’s wife told Job to curse God and die in V2:9

V1:20b The Lord is to be worshipped. Job did not cry out “Why, O LORD?”. Here Job teaches that our circumstances should not diminish our attitude toward God. 

Ø    Isa 6:3 the whole earth is full of his glory so there is no excuse for someone refusing to acknowledge that the LORD God Almighty is Holy, Holy, Holy.