Charles Spurgeon Commentary Job 1:7

"And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." — Job 1:7 (ASV)

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?

God is Satan's Master, so He asks him where he has been. I wonder whether, if the Lord were to put that question to everybody here, Whence comest thou? each of us could give a satisfactory answer to it.

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Uneasy, restless, ever active, like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Ah! we little know how near Satan is to us now; and even in our hours of prayer, when we are nearest to God, he may come and assail us.

And the LORD said to Satan, From where do you come?

He is obliged to give an account of himself; he cannot go a yard from his door without divine permission.

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Satan is always busy, never quiet; he cannot be still.