Job 1:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Satan appears alongside the angels, within the boundaries of God’s reign, awaiting a command or consent to try mankind—not out of a desire to serve God, but because he is in a state of ruin due to his rebellion and seeks to harm us. The One who governs our existence wisely allows us to endure tests that we can withstand, as Scripture illustrates for our comprehension metaphorically. The phrase "It came to be as this day" signifies "The day arrived when the contest was set, and the combatant stepped forward to engage." Since the holy angels are our guardians and the devil opposes our salvation—and both sides battle for humanity—it is stated that "they appeared together before God, who watches over all occurrences." Our victories or losses do not result from the force of our adversaries or the frailty of our allies, but rather stem from our choices. When both angels lean toward good and evil spirits toward wrongdoing, our will, empowered by freedom, chooses its path, for neither God nor the devil imposes force upon us. Through our choices, we either choose righteousness or sin, swayed by the influence of angels or demons.

The wicked adversary, as mentioned earlier, believes that as his wealth and virtue increase, so too will a reduction in virtue accompany a diminishment of riches. He intends to destroy all he possesses in an attempt to strip virtue away as well, and he requests God to employ temptation against the righteous. It is crucial to recognize that the demon lacks power over a believer or anyone who holds the fear of God unless such authority is granted from above, either for correction or as a test. When calamities befall mankind, they arise either due to sin or as a means to refine virtue through divine trials. Thus, the adversary could not wage war against Job without divine permission. Do not be astonished, dear ones, that he had no authority over Job until it was granted by God. Even over swine, he has no command. Consider the legion that pleaded, “If you cast us out, send us into a herd of swine” (Matt. 8:31). If he lacks power over swine without explicit permission, what influence does he hold over beings created in the image of God without a divine ordinance? “And there was a day,” it is written, “when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” Here, does the adversary participate in the ministry of the angels, being an unclean spirit among the holy ones? Certainly, neither the holy angels nor Satan approach God in a corporeal form, yet their ministry is referred to as a standing. Just as it was stated of Elijah, who acted on earth, that he stood before God, in the same manner, does it apply to the devil; he stands not in heaven or among unearthly powers, but as a created being bound to execute divine orders. Consider this: it indicates that God utilizes the devil as His servant. Just as in human armies certain soldiers are chosen for honorable service while others enforce discipline, God sends holy angels for the good of souls and assigns unclean spirits for punishment. Paul reminds us that “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14), indicating that holy angels are meant to aid in the salvation of mankind. Conversely, vile spirits serve to punish, as demonstrated in David’s words, “He sent out His fury upon them” (Ps. 77:49). Thus, malevolent spirits, even if they resist, are compelled to obey commands as executors of divine judgment. It is not strange that God directs the demons. The apostles also illustrate this as the adversary serves as an enforcer. For example, Paul notes, “Having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in the faith... whom I delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Tim. 1:19-20). Regarding a certain immoral individual, Paul stated, “I have indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, already judged as though I were present: him who has so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together... to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 5:3-5). Therefore, the evil spirits do not possess divine authority autonomously; they are compelled against their will to fulfill commands appointed to them for the purpose of punishment. You may be aware that when authorities convey honor, they send messengers, while if they wish to convey dishonor, they dispatch other, more base soldiers. Thus, God sends angels to assist the righteous on the path of salvation, while unclean spirits are designated for punishment. When expressing His discontent with Ahab, God queried, "Who will persuade Ahab to go up and fall..." and the unclean spirit responded, "I will persuade him" (3 Kings 22:20-21), clearly indicating that this was the very task assigned to the devil. Therefore, pay heed to my words; I discuss matters not pertaining to earthly concerns but of the unseen realm. I would not voice such truths if they were not grounded in Scripture, for it is not human reason that distinguishes the spiritual from the material, yet I cannot contradict what God has revealed. Let us adhere to the written word, willingly or not. Consequently, evil spirits execute punishment upon wrongdoers; however, they are also sent to the righteous, not for retribution, but to test their resolve. Since the holy angels cannot be dispatched to tempt (God would never assign an angel to engage in anything ignoble), unclean spirits fulfill this role. Do not be astonished at this; even the Lord and Savior Himself faced temptation by the devil after His baptism. If the Lord was tested by the adversary, we should not be surprised when evil spirits are sent to the righteous to examine their endurance—not sent in the sense of a divine command, but allowed through divine permission, as the Scripture often employs personification.

The physical posture often points to future outcomes; for example, in the Acts of the Apostles, it is noted that Stephen beheld Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God. A standing figure is indicative of one who aids, as seen in battles where the upright assists during conflict. Weather descriptions can also serve to foretell future events; for instance, when none in Judea believed the Lord during His preaching, the Evangelist notes it was winter (John 10:22), reflecting the chilling effect of sin: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12). Similarly, Peter's denial is prefaced with the statement that "it was cold," as he warmed himself by the fire (John 18:18), reflecting his waning grace and retreat into the love of transient life during Christ's trials. The timing of events can also reveal their conclusions, as demonstrated when Judas departed under the cover of night for his treachery, signifying his choice to forsake grace. The Evangelist asserts, "It was night" (John 13:30), further illustrating the spiritual darkness encompassing his soul: "This night your very life will be demanded from you" (Luke 12:20). The soul drawn into darkness is captured not by day but by night. Solomon received wisdom as if in slumber during the night, drawing a contrast with the midday visitation of angels to Abraham, as they later came to bring judgment upon Sodom. In Job's case, temptation is delivered as a means of conquest during daylight, affirming, "It was day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them."

Who are designated as the sons of God if not the chosen angels? Although it is known that they serve the Almighty Creator, we must discern their origin as they stand before the Lord. The Truth reveals: "Their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father" (Matthew 18:10). In agreement, the prophet states, "Thousands upon thousands ministered to Him, and myriads stood before Him" (Dan. 7:10). Thus, if they are in continuous service and sight of God, we must inquire where they come from. The Apostle Paul provides insight: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb. 1:14). Knowing they are dispatched informs us of their origin. Yet, as we contemplate these questions, we find ourselves creating further complexities. How can they constantly stand and behold the Father’s face while being sent to minister to us? This question resolves when we consider the ethereal nature of angels, who remain engaged in Divine contemplation without losing their inner joy; for if they stray from the gaze of the Creator, they cannot assist the fallen, reveal truth to the ignorant, or restore sight to the blind.

The distinction lies in that while we grapple with place and ignorance, the spirits of angels, although limited, have knowledge that extends far beyond ours. They possess profound wisdom from their contemplation of the Source of all knowledge. What could one who understands the All-Knowing not comprehend? Their understanding is broader than ours yet still less than Divine knowledge; they are spirits in contrast to our flesh yet a form of divinity in comparison to the Supreme Spirit. Thus, they are both sent and present; though limited, they do not depart. Consequently, they always behold the Father’s face, yet continue to come forth, as they minister to us while maintaining an awareness of where they originate. “And also Satan came among them.”

Let us seek to understand how Satan could come among the elect angels, who have departed from their blessed state, expelled for their pride. It is appropriately noted that he came among them; despite losing his bliss, he retains a nature akin to theirs. Even though burdened with punishment, his essence embodies a refined nature. He is described as coming to the Lord because the All-Pervasive Lord, in His contemplation of all spiritual realities, discerns even the subtleness of Satan's presence. This is affirmed by Scripture: "The eyes of the Lord see the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3). However, the phrase "Satan came to the Lord" prompts a complex issue. It is written, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8), raising the question of how Satan can behold God when he is undeniably impure in heart.

Yet, it must be noted that while he came before the Lord, he did not perceive Him. His appearance is to be seen and not to see; he is visible to the Lord but does not see Him. It is like a blind man beneath the sun who is illuminated by its rays but fails to perceive the light itself. Thus, Satan was among the angels before the Lord so that God's Divine power, omniscient and penetrating, could also recognize the unclean spirit. Those who turn away from the Lord can never hide; everything is naked in His sight, rendering the once-absent Satan now present.

When Scripture mentions something coming to pass before the Lord on a specific day, we should reflect on why this is suggested when there is no passage of time for Him—no day or night transitions. The Light, which is perfect and unchangeable, illuminates what it chooses and remains unaffected by what it rejects. The Unchanging One governs all that is mutable, establishing the transient. For Him, time does not ebb and flow as it does for us; in His eternal realm, the changing things across ages remain unchanged. Why then is it spoken of as having a day when, for Him, eternity is like a single day? This day has neither beginning nor end, as the Psalmist asserts, "For one day in Your courts is better than a thousand" (Ps. 84:10).

When Scripture articulates temporal matters concerning the sublime, it employs temporal language to elevate understanding. By engaging with our familiar concepts of time, it gradually steers our minds toward eternity so that the unknown aspect of eternity can more effectively reach our thoughts. Is it so surprising then that God opts not to hastily convey His unchanging nature through holy texts? He revealed the glory of His incorruptible resurrected body accessible by specific encounters, as demonstrated in Luke, where He initially dispatched angels to those searching for Him in the tomb, and later revealed Himself along the way but did not permit recognition until the breaking of bread. His sudden appearances show Himself not only to be recognized but also to be touched, acknowledging the disciples' initial fragility and leading them to comprehension gradually.

Thus, these steps guide us toward understanding eternity, leading us to contemplate events before God on appointed days, even as He transcends our time. Scripture’s reference to Satan arriving during the daytime might illustrate God’s ability to perceive darkness within light. We cannot simultaneously observe both light and darkness; looking into darkness dispels light, while directing attention to light causes shadow to recede. However, God perceives all without distortion. He discerns the obscurity surrounding Satan as if he appeared before the Lord in daylight. Unlike us, who cannot favor what we relish whilst shunning what we detest, God’s unchangeable essence sees all things together; He embodies both benevolence and judgment, rewarding what He cherishes while punishing what He condemns.

Thus, it is stated that Satan came during the daytime, reflecting that the light of His eternity remains unaffected by change or disorder. It is through His contemplation of darkness that Satan appears among the sons of God, as the unclean spirit faces the judgment of the Holy One, who fills the hearts of pure spirits. The same light that imbues angels pierces Satan. He has appeared among the sons of God, for they serve God to aid the elect, whilst he exists to tempt them. Among the heavenly hosts, he endeavors to undermine the mercy the angels extend to those suffering in this life, seeking to bring about their condemnation through ignorance in the Divine plan.

Through prophetic allegory, it is revealed: "I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside Him on His right and His left" (1 Kings 22:19). What is God’s Throne if not the array of angelic powers, through whom the Most High governs all lesser matters? And what constitutes this 'heavenly host' if not the multitude of ministering angels? The positioning of the host by His right hand and left suggests those aligned with God’s will and those inclined to wickedness. The good angels serve by aiding, while the fallen angels carry out their testing, guiding sinners back to righteousness. Thus, the description of Satan's intervening suggests his role in pushing those resistant to repentance toward divine judgment.

The holy angels stand at God’s right because they are considered His sons, whereas Satan's presence implies that he operates among them as a representative of malevolence. In our pursuit of understanding allegorical mysteries, we can perceive that God notices Satan in daylight due to His Wisdom, which limits his influence while allowing encroachments on humanity. Hence, the following Divine query arises: "Where have you come from?"

The merciful Lord, who desires not the demise of the sinner, allows the devil's presence as a testament to His readiness to welcome the repentance of even the foremost agent of evil should he ever choose to seek forgiveness. The devil’s appearance among the heavenly hosts is meant to remind him of his past glory and former bond with his Creator, hopefully instilling in him a sense of remorse. Most significantly, this moment prevents him from justifying his obstinacy, for while the Lord exhausts all avenues for his salvation, the devil persists in leading others astray and opposing God.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria poses a thought-provoking question, noting, “If the devil descended from heaven, how is it recorded in the book of Job that he was among the angels appearing before God?” He expounds that “Scripture does not indicate the devil was in heaven among the angels; this event clearly took place on earth. Wherever angels exist, they present themselves before God. It should also be understood that God communicated with the devil through a specific angel, much like a ruler would converse with an adversary via a mediator.”

According to St. Athanasius, there are two significant points to consider. First, the assembly of angels described in Job did not occur in heaven, from which the devil had been cast down, but on earth, likely in Job’s home or at one of his sons’ houses during a sacrificial event. Second, Satan did not engage directly with God but instead conversed indirectly through one of God’s messengers. The angel, referred to as God in this passage, symbolizes God's presence, akin to how the Psalmist refers to judges and rulers as gods (Ps. LXXXI:1).

It is not necessary to interpret the narrative about the gathering of angels and the presence of the devil among them as merely a parable or fiction. Neither should we assume that the narrative obscured the genuine concept of God’s providential governance over humanity and His allowance for the devil to inflict harm. The events unfolded as depicted in the text, though undoubtedly, the dialogue between God and the devil was not framed in human language, but rather in a manner unique to spiritual beings.