Who is in Control?
Who is in Control
Welcome to a behind-the-scenes look at the research that goes into making each scene of iBIBLE. Let's take a look at the scene where Satan petitions God over His servant Job.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. (Job 1:6)
Getting God’s Permission
What is Satan doing approaching the throne of God?
Setting the stage for the story of Job that is about to unfold, we see a scene that challenges our understanding: an exchange between God and Satan; with the fate of a man in the balance.
The Scripture sets the stage: the angels present themselves before the Lord. One thing is immediately clear. God is taking an active and involved role in specific situations on earth.
Persuading God?
As God is speaking to Satan, He brings attention to his servant Job. God brought Job's name into the conversation. He talks about how Job is a man of integrity.
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8)
Satan then challenges God’s policy of rewarding the righteous by suggesting that it corrupts their motives and proves them to be less righteous. Satan makes the case that Job’s actions are motivated by what he can get from God. God then lets Satan prove himself wrong:
Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?... You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." (Job 1:8-11)
For many of us, this is where we wrestle with one of the hardest truths in scripture. Can a man who God himself declares one of perfect integrity, that turns away from evil, suffer? Shouldn't good, Christian people have a life without hardship? Ultimately, can bad things happen to good people?
Terrible, horrible, tragic things then happen to everything around Job - all of his “blessings” get taken away. Satan does his utmost to crush Job into thinking that his upright walk with God was not worth it. In one afternoon, he hears one piece of bad news after another: his fortune and his future are gone. He is informed that all of his children are dead. And Job proves Satan wrong:
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20-21)
In all of this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
Satan approaches God once more, and again is put back in his place. God begins by telling Satan exactly the same description of Job as last time, and then reminds Satan of how his persecution did nothing. Satan then counters by saying “well yeah, but he’s still healthy, so it doesn’t count!”
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” (Job 2:3-6)
Why is this Important?
The story of Job is seldom listed as one of people's “favorite books of the Bible." However, the events revealed in the story of Job teach beautiful lessons that are just as relevant today as when they originally unfolded.
We learn how God watches over us and that Satan has no power over us without God’s permission. We learn a harder lesson that, yes, even the righteous can experience horrific suffering. And we learn how God restored everything, and more, back to Job!
The Book of Job, with its 42 chapters, can be a challenging read. However, with the iBIBLE, viewers are able to follow the main points of the narrative with vibrant animation and dramatic audio. Our goal is to bring the Bible to life, even the more difficult portions.
Next week we will look at what happened to Job after God gave permission for Satan to attack Job himself.
We can know and trust that our Father in Heaven is in control, and He will be with us, come what may.
As we continue to work on iBIBLE, we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to help us bring all the truths in the Scriptures to their proper portrayal. Thank you for helping RevelationMedia bring iBIBLE to the world. This is a God-sized project, and it is only possible with the support of individuals and families like you.
