The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-X, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 26."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1983. All Rights Reserved.

Questioner

I have a question here from a book of Job. You know, first chapter. I’m starting this book, and it kind of strikes me here when I’m reading chapter one and verse 12, when Satan is talking to God and he’s asking God to give him a test, and then, the Lord said unto Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand.  So, Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord." And he [Job] got the trials. Now, in chapter 2, I read here when the Lord said, “And, the Lord said unto Satan, has thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although thou movest me against him to destroy him without cause.” Now, my question is, did Satan do this thing to Job or did God do it to him?

John MacArthur's Answer

That’s a good question. And the answer to the question is, Satan did these things to Job, but God allowed him to do them. And, God allowed him to do them to prove His point, that He had a faithful man. You see, Satan is ever and always the accuser of the brethren, it says in Revelation. He’s always accusing the brethren before God. And, this is one occasion where he says, "You don’t even have one righteous man." He [God] says, "Okay, go down there and do anything you want short of taking the life of Job." You do anything you want to him and he will stay true to me. It'll show you that there is true faith in the earth.

So, the answer is that Satan did these things. But, God allowed him to do those things. Satan always functions within the allowance of God, never beyond that. God is not intimidated by Satan. He is not forced by Satan into anything. He’s simply saying there is verse three, you moved me against him. Well, in the sense that God took His protecting hand off, okay?

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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