Matthew Henry Commentary Job 1:6-12

"Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. 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. And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah." — Job 1:6-12 (ASV)

Job's afflictions began from the malice of Satan, by the Lord's permission, for wise and holy purposes. There is an evil spirit, the enemy of God and of all righteousness, who is continually seeking to distress, to lead astray, and, if possible, to destroy those who love God. We cannot say how far his influence may extend, but much unsteadiness and unhappiness in Christians may probably be ascribed to him. While we are on this earth, we are within his reach.

Therefore, it is important for us to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). See how Satan censures Job. This is the common way of slanderers: to suggest what they have no reason to think is true. But just as there is nothing we should fear more than truly being hypocrites, so there is nothing we need fear less than being called and considered so without cause. It is not wrong to look at the eternal recompense in our obedience, but it is wrong to aim at worldly advantages in our religion.

God's people are taken under His special protection: they and all that belong to them. The blessing of the Lord makes rich; Satan himself acknowledges it. God allowed Job to be tried, just as He allowed Peter to be sifted. It is our comfort that God has the devil in a chain (Revelation 20:1). He has no power to lead people to sin except what they give him themselves, nor any power to afflict people except what is given to him from above.

All this is described to us here in human terms. The Scripture speaks in this way to teach us that God directs the affairs of the world.