(7) 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. (8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (9) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (10) Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
The best light upon this scripture may be taken from other scriptures. And, indeed, we are so commanded to explain them comparing spiritual things with spiritual, 1 Corinthians 2:13. Zechariah was commissioned to relate to the church the particulars of a vision, in which be beheld Satan confronting Joshua the high priest before the Lord. Zechariah 3:1-2. And John had another commission to deliver to the church, in the close of the canon of scripture, where the final ruin of the arch fiend was celebrated in heaven by the song of the redeemed, in which particular mention was made, that the victory over hell was wholly obtained by the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:9-11. But what I particularly request the Reader to remark in the perusal of those verses, of the conference between the Lord and Satan concerning Job, as we may gather from the sequel of Job's life, is this, that the permission the Lord gave to Satan was only for the exercise of Job's faith and patience, the ruin of Satan, and the glory of God. This is the improvement the apostle James had it in commission to make of it to the church: Ye have seen the end of the Lord, (said he) that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. James 5:11. But, Reader, you will not need, I hope, from me, the smallest hint, while observing this exposure of Job, by divine appointment, to the malice of the devil, to have your mind led to an infinitely higher instance. Surely, it is hardly possible for a believer in Jesus not to recollect the situation of our dear Redeemer, who no sooner was filled with the Holy Ghost but was purposely led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. Oh! thou Holy One of God! how do all examples of suffering patience sink to nothing, in comparison of thine. Precious Jesus, suffer me never to lose sight both of thy temptations and the cause of them. Yes! thou dearest Lord, it did indeed behove thee to be made like unto thy brethren, that thou mightest be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people: for in that thou thyself hast suffered, being tempted, thou art able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18.