Stay close

Nothing seems more inspiring than reading the book of Job when one is going through a tough patch or requiring a boost of faith and encouragement. Whats interesting to see is the way the book paints the picture of God sitting in heaven in chapter 1. With the heavenly host presenting themselves to him and accounting what they have done to him. In this chapter alone, alot of things can be concluded about Satan.

Now Job 1:6-7 says
(6) One day the angels came to present temselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. (7) The Lord said to Satan, "where have you come from?" Satan replied the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it"

An interesting thing to note is God asking Satan where/what has he been doing? Well God sure knows Satan is not running around playing trick and treat with some little kids by the roadside and helping some old granny to cross the road. This is similar to him asking Adam and Eve where are you in the garden (Genesis 3:9). God is omnipresent and he knows very well Satan is bringing about destruction to his people. But this shows one important fact: Satan is accountable to God. He cannot just do things that he wants and he needs to come before God to account what he has been doing. Even his answer is a very reluctant answer as seen in Job 1:7. His just roaming the earth, walking around and smelling the daisys etc.

This is obviously not true, when God rubs in the fact that a God fearing man is out there, he can reply that God has put a "hedge around him and his household and everything he has". In another words, God has set a protection over Job, his family and everything he owns.
>>>> this shows Satan has obviously been trying to climb over the "hedge" and do something really naughty or to put it more simply, he has been trying to do his job as the prince of darkness to destroy Job's life.

Further conclusions from Job 1 (between God and Satan)

1) Satan is not stupid! He is a brilliant strategist that looks out for all strong and weak points.
- He managed to analyse Job's life, carreer, family etc. He is able to accurately analyse why many people trust and follow God. Afterall, many people are just out there just for the blessing of God, nothing else.

2) God knows what Satan is going to do.
- Satan is limited to what God allows him to do. A very important thing to realise is that God is aware that Satan is bringing suffering and difficulties to us but God allows the suffering for a reason. Now as Satan cannot do anything without God's permission (verse 12), pretty much God's people can overcome his attacks through God's power!

3) Satan is not omnipresent
- As seen in verse 6 & 7, he has to travel around the place. He may not be able to be at all places at one time but he has his aids (demons). But as a created being, he is limited like us.

4) He cannot predict the future
- As much as black magic and all those voodoo crap claims, it cannot predict the future! Satan and his demons are the centre of all those witchery stuff going around for centuries. In verse 9-11, he says Job will curse God. Read on, in verse 21 Job praises God. lol.

5) God limits Satan
- If not, there wouldn't be a book of Job. Satan would just kill him (verse 12).


Now the Bible shows God with heavenly councils and angels planning out their activities etc on earth (e.g. Seen in 1 Kings 22:19-23). As mentioned, all angels are accountable to God including the fallen ones. Countary to most views, we have to know that Satan can travel around even in heaven (e.g. 1 Peter 5:8). Thus Satan can travel pretty much most places. In Jude 1:9 shows a dispute between the Archangel and Satan, its not like the Archangel has nothing to do and go on a picnic with Satan. Satan is able to go to many places!

With a note before the ending, Satan is real... And his active. Its because we know this that we should all know that its very important to remain close to God who is > Satan.