It is a most stately drama:  any paraphrase would spoil its dignity, its quiet truth, its unpretending, yet gigantic lineaments.  Note:  in allusion to our views of evil, that Satan also comes among the sons of God:  note, the generous dependence placed by a generous Master on his servant well-upheld by that Master’s own free grace:  note, Satan’s constant imputation against piety when blessed of God with worldly wealth, Doth he serve for naught?  I can discern no cause wherefore all this scene should not have truly happened; not as in vision of some holy man, but as in fact.  Let us read on, before further comment: 

“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.  And the Lord said unto Satan, 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.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.  And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.  But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.  So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils, from the sole of his foot unto his crown.”

Some such scene, displaying the devil’s malice, slandering sneers, and permitted power, recommends itself to my mind as antecedently to have been looked for:  in order that we might know from what quarter many of life’s evils come; with what aims and ends they are directed; what limits are opposed to our foe; and Who is on our side.  We needed some such insight into the heavenly places; some such hint of what is continually going on before the Lord’s tribunal; we wanted this plain and simple setting forth of good and evil in personal encounter, of innocence awhile given up to malice for its chastening and its triumph.  Lo, all this so probable scene is here laid open to us, and many, against reason, disbelieve it!

Note, in allusion to our after-theme, the locus of heaven, that there is some such usual place of periodical gathering.  Note, the open unchiding loveliness dwelling in the Good One’s words, as contrasted with the subtle, slanderous hatred of the Evil.  And then the vulgar proverb, Skin for skin:  this pious Job is so intensely selfish, that let him lose what he may, he heeds it not; he cares for nothing out of his own skin.  And there are many more such notabilities.