God Has No Opposite

So I just started in my study of Job.  There was a phrase in chapter 1 that was again repeated in chapter 2. I went to a commentary to get more clarity. The phrase was "there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them."  The commentary explained that in the Old Testament the phrase "sons of God" was referring to the angelic beings.  Of course we know that Satan was created as an angelic being, as well. It is important to remember these "angelic beings" were created by God (i.e. sons of God). They were able to present themselves to the Lord.  (This reminds me of the wording as those under a King would present themselves before a King.)

I began to think... isn't it silly that we sometimes think of Satan as God's opposite?  Satan is not God's opposite... he was in fact, created by God and chose to turn away from God.  He wishes he was God's opposite.  But God has no opposite.  He is good and there is evil, those are opposites.  But God has no opposite... nothing compares to Him!  Let's be careful not to elevate Satan to something he is not.

Back to Job, we get the behind the scene story of what is going on in Heaven while Job is down on earth.  Job didn't get to see that perspective but God has been so good to share it with us!  Job was working with pure Faith... he didn't have these examples to help him understand... just pure Faith in Whom he knew his God to be.   

I have read the story of Job many times but today I believe God gave me a new glimpse.  I always before viewed Satan's challenge as though he was rivaling God but as I understand that God has no rival (and I think Satan knows that better than any of us) I believe it is actually Satan rivaling Job.  God had just bragged about His servant Job... that he was "blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil." Quite the opposite of Satan, I would say.  Satan was jealous. I believe Satan is extremely jealous of all those who don't do what he did.  He is intimidated by those who are stronger than him. 

When he looked at Job, he started making jealous excuses as to why Job hadn't turned away from God.  He couldn't even comprehend the faith Job had!  He thought if he could just take everything from him, he would surely turn.  He grossly miscalculated the power of love and faith one could have in God.  

This sure gives me a different perspective on this whole battle... Job's and mine!  We know pride was at the center of Satan's downfall from being an angelic being.  I believe he still can't stand those who walk "blameless and upright" who "fear God and turn away from evil."  

Satan does everything he can to try and make us turn from God like he did.  He wishes he was God's opposite... he pretends he is God's opposite... his competitor but he is not.  God is in a league of His own.  He has no rival.  Satan isn't even allowed in the league so in an effort to make himself feel better, he tries to take down God's kids.  If we stay on God's "team" there is no way we can lose.  Satan may steal our equipment, throw some balls at us, try and trip us up and take us out but we have already been declared the undisputed Champions.  All our good stuff is still safe at "Home."