The Bet

"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."
      Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. – Job 1: 9-12

Today’s Reading: Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43

Job is one of the books in the Bible that I least understand. There is so much in here that just doesn’t sit well with me. Given that I am as far from omniscient as Skeelo was from being a little bit taller I assume that my lack of understanding does not put its truth into question.

That being said… over the next few weeks I will ask some questions about things I’ve always been curious about. Maybe by the time we finish reading the book some of these questions will get answered.

So…

Why did God agree to Satan’s challenge?

Wait… back up a minute… how did Satan get to go to God’s meeting of angels? I know that God asked him where he had come from… did he sneak in the back door? Was Satan still able to attend the meetings even though he’d been banished? What are the rules and regulations for club membership here…?

I want to know.

Now back to the challenge… why did God agree to it? It’s like he was boasting to Satan about his favorite lil homie and agreed to the bet out of pride. “I’ll show you.. go ahead and snuff out Job’s entire family and material possessions and just watch… he will stay righteous. You’ll see.”

Huh?!

Good grief… I feel bad for Job.