Stephen, I think you're responding to another thread with Adam, so apologies for this intrusion, but thought to clarify something here.
If you're considering the God/Satan encounter in Job chapter 2, you need to bring in Job 1:6-12 into it as well. You've quoted 2:3 (part): "and still he (Job) holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me (God) against him, to destroy him without cause." When you read this, you also have to take into account chapter 1.
I don't believe that God was moved by Satan against Job in chapter 2 simply because Satan had already "moved" (or, prompted, persisted, challenged) God to test the integrity of Job in chapter 1. Therefore, what we have in 2:3 is the statement that God was 'moved by Satan against Job', as this was done earlier on.
So can we conclude that it was God Who instigated & carried out those acts against Job & his family/animals? The normal reading of both those encounters with Satan, show that God had declared the righteousness of Job to Satan. Now, we're not told what Satan was up to earlier as he went "to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Maybe, he was seeking out 'targets' & had a room full of trophies as a result, but couldn't find fault in Job (just my thoughts only). But God had presented righteous Job before Satan as one different from the others. Satan took up the challenge & it was 'game on' - again.
God could have refused Satan permission to touch Job in the way he did. Though God was confident that his servant Job would put His Creator & Redeemer ( Job 19:25-27) first in everything, even to the destruction of his loved ones & his own body.
Doesn't Job 2:3 have God telling Satan that Satan has caused God to move against Job?
It seems to me, (I'm no scholar, mind you,) but it seems to me that this statement from Job's God confirms that Job's God DID do those things to Job.
If you're considering the God/Satan encounter in Job chapter 2, you need to bring in Job 1:6-12 into it as well. You've quoted 2:3 (part): "and still he (Job) holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me (God) against him, to destroy him without cause." When you read this, you also have to take into account chapter 1.
I don't believe that God was moved by Satan against Job in chapter 2 simply because Satan had already "moved" (or, prompted, persisted, challenged) God to test the integrity of Job in chapter 1. Therefore, what we have in 2:3 is the statement that God was 'moved by Satan against Job', as this was done earlier on.
So can we conclude that it was God Who instigated & carried out those acts against Job & his family/animals? The normal reading of both those encounters with Satan, show that God had declared the righteousness of Job to Satan. Now, we're not told what Satan was up to earlier as he went "to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Maybe, he was seeking out 'targets' & had a room full of trophies as a result, but couldn't find fault in Job (just my thoughts only). But God had presented righteous Job before Satan as one different from the others. Satan took up the challenge & it was 'game on' - again.
God could have refused Satan permission to touch Job in the way he did. Though God was confident that his servant Job would put His Creator & Redeemer ( Job 19:25-27) first in everything, even to the destruction of his loved ones & his own body.
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