In today’ s first reading from the Book of Job we are presented with the figure of Satan. In this book Satan is not a demonic figure but the Accuser, something like a prosecuting attorney as we hear in the Book of Revelation:
“Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10).
Satan is one of the angels roaming the earth and reporting back to God: “One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6). While God proclaims the righteousness of his servant Job Satan as the accuser says that it is all self-serving.
“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
Job is put to the test and loses everything but still refuses to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Instead, his continues to put his faith and trust in God. He declares in today’s first reading:
“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!”
The Book of Job is not an historical description of God’s dealing with Job.
It is a parable or story in which God wants to teach us an important message: It is okay to talk back to God, to question God, to challenge God. God gives us not only permission to challenge him, but he even gives us the words:
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish?” (Psalm 22:2)
The whole book of Job deals with the question of evil, why bad things happen to good people. Job’s friends give all these pious answers which are challenged not only by Job but also by God. Job, after challenging his friends and God for some 40 chapters, humbles himself and puts his faith and trust in God. While there is no clear answer to why bad things happen to good people God wants us to encounter him with our questions, our doubts but also to trust him even with all these questions and doubts.
Image: “Gloria Sanctorum” by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.