A handbook of Freethought : $b containing in condensed and systematized form a vast amount of evidence against the superstitious doctrines of Christianity
Religion
A handbook of Freethought : $b containing in condensed and systematized form a vast amount of evidence against the superstitious doctrines of Christianity
Christianity -- Controversial literature; Free thought
In the book of Job we have a second account of the Devil: "Now there
was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the
Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan,
Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord and said, From going
to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the
Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there
is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that
feareth God and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord and said,
Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast not thou made a hedge about him,
and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou
hast blest the work of his hands and his substance is increased in
the land. But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath,
and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan,
Behold all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not
forth thy hand. So Satan went from the presence of the Lord." (Job 1 :
6-12.) Then follows an account of the destruction of the cattle and
children of Job, and yet he would not curse God. Satan then suggested
that to afflict him in person would bring out his weakness and deeply
hidden wickedness. Job was tormented with boils, and three gratuitous
advisors, and did not curse God, but came very nearly giving his
counselors a cuss word or two. They exasperated him beyond measure.
Now while it must be admitted that the Devil does not show up to
as great advantage in this fable as he does in that relating to the
tree of knowledge, yet we should not jump to our conclusions. Let us
review this Job story.
We are surprised at the dignified manners of Satan. He walks in with
lordly airs among the sons of God. No one present said to him, "Get
out of here." He struts around in the gay company as one of them. We
hardly know how to understand such familiarity possible between the
sons of God and Satan. If, however, the sons of God in those days
were no better than the sons of God are in these, it is not in the
least surprising that Satan should conduct himself as well as the
best of them. But why did God permit him to do these cruel things to
Job? In a certain book by God, we are told to "resist the Devil and
he will flee from thee." This would have been splendid medicine for
the doctors who prescribed it. Satan did not come there so far as
we see to work any temptation. It was God who set up the temptation
before Satan. He began by asking Satan what he thought of Job. What
mattered it what his opinion of Job might be? Why should his opinion
be asked? Was it not showing respect to him? God should have said,
"Get behind me Satan."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account