He Who Tricks God to Hurt Us is a simple thought reflection from Job 2:1-3 about the role that Satan plays in trying to oppose God.

“One day the sons of God came again to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before the Lord. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him, to destroy him without just cause.”” (Job 2:1–3, HCSB)

God presents Job as a model child of God. Satan destroys everything Job owns, including his children. (Ironically, his wife is spared.) In this scene, Satan meets with God (presumably in Heaven) as the angels present themselves before God. God inquires Satan about his business. Satan replies that he has been wandering the earth (like a prowling lion seeking these he can destroy). God offers Job a second time. This time, God states that Satan incited God against Job. So Satan not only tries to get us to rebel against God. Satan is also in the business of inciting God to hurt us. In this case, the word “incite against” means that Satan is trying to persuade God to hurt and work against Job. Satan “urged God to hurt Job without cause” (NLT). He “tried to trick Me (God) into destroying” Job (The Message).

So Satan is not out to trick us by tempting us to sin. He is out to trick God. Was God duped by Satan’s request earlier? No. God is still more powerful than Satan. More important, God also knows our limits as well. He knows what how much temptation and suffering we can handle in life. God never gives us a trial which we cannot handle. He also never puts Christians through so much tribulation that allows Satan to be the final victor. God stops Satan from prevailing. He also reverses some of Satan’s work. This is clearly seen at the end of the story of Job. Satan, the ultimate “trickster” will get tricked in the end.