Satan in the Book of Job and the Gospel of Matthew

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We can view a difference in behavior between Satan in the Book of Job and the Gospel of Matthew. While manipulation is a key part of Satan’s behaviour’s using it against God, then his wit as a tool against Jesus, Satan uses more forms of physical and emotional pain to induce Job to relinquish his devotion. It is also apparent that Satan uses temptation in each story as a device to do his bidding. In the Gospel of Matthew, Satan uses the temptation of sin through reward with Jesus by promising relief, whereas he uses suffering to tempt Job, and prove that he was prone to sin, into denouncing God. We see the common intentions of Satan as actively trying promote the downfall of each of their faiths. As well as in both situations Satan preys on each of the men when they are found in extreme states of weakness, a common method of operation for Satan.

The differences in the comparison to Satan in the Book of Job and the Gospel of Matthew are that in one place we have Satan trying to prove the wavering faith of Job to God, as an advocate, inflicting pain as a means, whereas Satan is more of a self-directed being who is trying to mislead Jesus into deceiving God. At both times Satan’s motive is the same, where his ultimate goal is to destroy God’s sovereignty in the eyes of Job and Jesus, while using similar methods of weakened prey, manipulation, and temptation, in forms of bribery and pain.

Word Count: 731