Job chapter 1, part 2

*Now that the stage is set, we are told that the Angels, including Satan, came to present themselves before Yahweh. This is the first time we have encountered Satan. The English text uses a capital letter S to show that Satan is one of the Angels' names. However, literally translated, it would be a common noun, not a proper noun...ha-satan, " the accuser" or "the adversary." He is the accuser and adversary of mankind, not the adversary of Yahweh. It is a job description, not a name. Basically, he was like a prosecuting attorney for the state. Satan does not become a proper name, or a devil, until later in history. Notice, he comes into Yahweh's presence, speaks to him, and bargains with him. Is this what a "fallen" Angel does? Yahweh allows that? If Satan is evil, how can he be in Yahweh's presence? When was Satan supposed to have been cast out of heaven anyway? Speaking of heaven, where does this supernatural conference take place? Heaven is not mentioned.

*Believe it or not, we have met a satanic adversary before. In Numbers 22:22, the Angel of Yahweh that appears to  Balaam is le-satan, an adversary. Now, however, Yahweh asks the adversary of this story where he has been. He says he's been roaming back and forth through the earth. Then Yahweh asks the adversary if he has noticed how perfect Job is, and how he fears God and shuns evil. A quick reminder here: "God" in the English text is usually translated from the Canaanite/Hebrew word Elohim, which is a collective singular and could refer to a group or council of gods. "Lord" is translated from Yahweh, the specific Israelite God. Why does Yahweh say Job fears Elohim and not himself? If Elohim is another name for Yahweh, why does he speak of himself in the third person?

*Also, after a quick skim through the book of Job, I noticed that Yahweh, or lord, is only referred to in the beginning prose chapters and a few chapters at the end. The bulk of the poetic portion of the book uses the term Elohim, translated God. This is one reason why some biblical scholars think there were multiple authors and contributions to the text of the bible. They often compare and contrast the portions of text that emphasize either Yahweh or Elohim. The Elohim portions are assumed to be written at an earlier date, before the monotheistic worship of Yahweh. The Yahweh portions of this book could have been added at a later time, possibly by Israelite priests. We will visit this possibility again.

*Moving on. The adversary tells Yahweh that of course Job fears God (Elohim), because Yahweh has "put a hedge around him" and everything that belongs to him. (Have you ever heard a Christian pray for a "hedge of protection?") Yahweh has personally blessed everything Job has done. But, says the adversary, if Yahweh was to eliminate Job's wealth, surely Job would curse Yahweh to his face. Then Yahweh caves in and tells the adversary he can do anything he wants to Job's possessions, but he can't touch Job. Then the adversary left Yahweh's presence.