Job's plight is an interesting counter example to the "gospel of prosperity" that sees health, wealth and success as a sign of God's favor. As Satan implies in chapter one, if for "fearing God and eschewing evil" (1:8) we are automatically rewarded with a hedge about us and our house, if all the work of our hands is invariably blest, and our riches automatically increase (1:10), then this life's purpose as a test is defeated. We will not reveal our true character or desires. In such a circumstance our obedience to God has all the moral weight of the salivation of Pavlov's dog. We have simply been conditioned, like any rat in a maze, to take the path that leads us to the cheese.
The book of Job is a reminder that in this life our righteous efforts and desires guarantee neither our family, nor our wealth, nor our health any permanent invulnerability. The righteous as well as the wicked are subject to job loss, sudden infant death syndrome and cancer. What we do have is an assurance, which we can only lay hold of by faith, that none of this is allowed to come to pass without our Heavenly Father's permission. He knows the afflictions he allows to occur and he knows why. In time or eternity, so will we.
In the meantime, Satan's words remind us that the blows that strike against us at our most vulnerable points offer us an opportunity to reveal the nature of our attachment to God and to righteousness. Are we just opportunistic servants who are loyal as long as we are rewarded? Or are we someone who loves the good and loves God whether that love seems to be rewarded or not? Satan's hope was that Job was one who could be turned away by adversity - one who under the weight of affliction would curse God to his face (1:11, 2:5).
Some of the hardest trials we can endure are those that afflict the body. After Job successfully endures family and economic losses, temptation strikes even more intimately -
4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
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