The Skeptics Annotated Bible (419 page)

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea,
they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword
; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

(1.15)
“They have slain the servants with the edge of the sword.”

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said,
The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them
; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

(1.16)
“The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them.”

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said,
Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

19
And, behold, there came a great wind
from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men,
and they are dead
; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

(1.18-19)
“Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house. And, behold, there came a great wind … and they are dead.”

(1.20-22) God kills (or allows Satan to kill) Job’s children, but Job doesn’t “foolishly” blame God.

20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

(1.20)
“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.”

21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

(1.21)
“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly
.

(1.22)
“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

2
Again there was a day when
the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them
to present himself before the LORD.

(2.1)
“The sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
” Satan is the son of God—the only one that God ever seems to talk to.
28 How many sons does God have?

2
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

(2.2)
“And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
God asks where Satan has been lately (Apparently he didn’t know.)
18 Does God know everything?
287 Is the Devil free to roam?

(2.3-7) God and Satan play a little game with Job. God allows Satan to torment Job, just to see how he will react.