The Story Behind The Story

Satan [said] to the LORD, . . . “You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!   Job 1:9-10

God pulls back the curtain so we can get a glimpse of another story that is going on behind the pain Job experienced. God wants us to know that there is more at stake in this story than Job ever knew.

One day God summoned the angels to present themselves to him, and we are told that Satan, an outcast of heaven, came with them. God asked him, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil” (Job 1:8).

Satan used the occasion to slander God’s name: “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (Job 1:9, NIV). In effect, Satan told God, “You think he loves you freely, but that’s impossible! Job is a man, and men love themselves! He will profess to love you as long as you give him everything he wants. But take away his wealth, his work, his family, and his health, and he will curse you to your face!”

Satan, who himself had rejected God’s law and authority, in essence told God, “Nobody could love you for who you are! Men may love your gifts, but men will never come to love you for who you are.” Satan was convinced that sin is an incurable disease and that restoration is impossible. So God said, “Let’s see.”

As far as Job was concerned, his story was one man struggling to understand a series of unexplained tragedies. But something much more important was happening. The story behind the story was about vindicating the name of God.

Even though Satan was a direct factor in Job’s suffering, his activity was within strict limits determined by God. When suffering comes into your life, whatever its shape or cause, you have the opportunity to vindicate the name of God.

For further reading, see Ephesians 6