Did God tempt satan in the Book of Job?
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In studying the book of Job, it became somewhat clear to me what seems like the entire premise of the book, and it is encapsulated in Job 1:6-9:
>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 an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?”
A commentary by the Jewish scholar A. Elzas points out what seems obvious once you read it:
>Going to and fro —The Targum: "I am come from going round the earth to examine the works of the children of men." The expression going, walking, means in the Heb. idiom vigilant execution.
My personal interpretation of this, and what now seems obvious, is that satan is looking to find fault among men. He is, after all, the great accuser. And God elevates His creation, man, in the eyes of satan, and allows satan to prove to himself whether it is so, or not: are there men who do not curse God, no matter what?
But it seems like God is almost taunting satan. He sets him up for the whole series of events that follow. It's like God tempts him! And yet James 1 says God cannot be tempted by evil, nor can He Himself tempt anyone.
I believe this, but I just don't know how to reconcile my thoughts about God and satan in the book of Job, and I'm hoping there is a theological explanation.
Asked by Mimi
(1303 rep)
Apr 27, 2026, 02:40 AM