A Retelling of Job 1:6–12

For Matti

Laurel Holland One day, the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord. And one uninvited was among them. He was known as the Accuser, and he had no right to be near the throne of the holy… but the Lord let him speak.

“Where have you come from?” Though the Lord already knew.

“I have come from earth, watching and waiting. Your creation is mostly chaos. Do you even know what they say and do?”

Then the Lord, uninsulted, though the Accuser was clever and sure, asked him in response,

“But have you noticed her? Have you seen my daughter? For she is unlike you say. She is blameless and pure, and even you can’t get in the way.”

•••

The Accuser replied,

“Of course I have! Do you think I’m blind? You think I don’t see the child you spoil and then say, “look! She’s mine!” What reason have you given her to doubt or stray? You want me to be impressed but she has every reason to stay.

But let me have a turn. I will take her comfort away. Then you’ll get to watch as her soul crumbles and she curses your name. The wall of protection you’ve built around her will come crashing down, and all that she’s missing will suddenly ring loud.

I will make the day long, and the nights even longer. And as her body grows weaker, my power will show stronger.

You’ve given her others who love her, but they will be unable to understand. So she will feel alone, and then blame you for your unfair plan. For what kind of God lets his child suffer alone? She will grow to despise a Lord who claims to be on the throne, but then leaves her to pain and to fight for her soul.

And then you will be forgotten, by your child and those who love her. For how could you let this happen, to your beautiful daughter?”

•••

And the Lord of heaven, let him say all that was on his mind. And every angel leaned in close to hear his reply.

“Go, do all you have said. But before you leave, let me clarify the fantasy you have created in your head.

You will bring the torment and the fear — that much is true. But you will come to your end and be forced to watch what I will do.

You think you’re clever, that you’ll overwhelm her with lies, but never forget, you need permission to touch what is mine. And I grant you this, but only so you’ll see, that the pain you inflict will only bring her back to me.

You want to make her nights long, but remember, I don’t sleep. So I will be with her every moment, for the darkness and light are the same to me.

You want her isolated, but you’ve forgotten how the story goes. The one who bows alone in the garden gets seated at the right hand of my throne. You were there, when I created the earth and everything that moves and breathes. So what makes you think you can threaten me?

Your power is real, and she will know it more than most. But in turn her faith will shake the mountains and her praise will silence your boast.

You think you’ll make a mockery of me and my people through her, but the mockery will turn to you as the one you beat down chooses to lead and serve.

For you weren’t there when I decided who she’d be. When I thought of her so carefully. When I knit her distinctly in her mother’s womb, where were you? I have counted every hair and I’ll count every hurt. You who cannot move a single star think you’ll move my child from her Lord?

I set boundaries for the sea and I’ll do the same to you. You’ll come to your end before you even realize what I can do.

You threaten her with darkness, but I know the darkness by name. You hold nothing over her I have not already contained.

Her hope will be found in things outside your reach. Her life will be defined by courage you cannot see. And everywhere she goes, people will see me!

And those who love her, they will be witness, watching everything you bring. And they will be made stronger because of her patient enduring.

Now go! Do everything you’ve promised. And watch as the kingdom grows from what you thought would demolish it. You will come to your end, and she will still be standing, and you will regret ever wanting this.”

••• So the Accuser left his presence, and the angels were left stunned.

For the Lord spoke as though he’d already won.

“I have written her name on my hands, and all heaven and earth will see in time. What is broken will be restored. Forever I am my daughter’s and she is mine.”

Job 1:6–12 · Psalm 121:4 · Psalm 139:12–14 · Isaiah 49:16 · Job 38 · Song of Solomon 6:3