This episode covers the first half of Chapter 1. It will be the only chapter covered in two parts.

"And there was a man in in the Land of Uz" begins the one of the oldest and most universal books of the Hebrew Bible.  

And Job (Īyyōv) was his name.

There is no mention of Job being Jewish, as lacking is any reference to the Covenant.  Some scholarly thought suggests this episode stems from the time Abraham was called by God from Ur, Mesopotamia.

Uz is considered east of Israel, across the Jordan.  Scholars often regard Uz as mythical -- think, for example, how the Land of Oz was inspired by the Land of Uz.  

Whether actual or allegorical, Uz is a sphere where Job was the greatest of men.

Job was upright and blameless, though the King James misses the mark by indicating “perfect.” Job served in a priestly function where he offered sacrifices, an implicit acknowledgement of the Lord’s power and human frailty. Job was God-focused and holy.  He feared the Lord and avoided evil. He is close to the ideal man who faces the ultimate test of faith.

Scholars (including Robert Alter) note this Book to be a masterpiece of the original language, with a rich repetition of ideas through Hebrew parallelism.  The words of one line relate to others, frequently the immediately following line, in a variety of artistic ways. Especially in the first few chapters, limited wording says so much.

Job was exceptionally wealthy, taking into account his bountiful family as well as his material possessions. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.  He had a multitude of servants, as well as 7,000 sheep and 3,000.

As the ideal father, Job set up each of his sons for success.  Each would host the family on a special occasion, perhaps a birthday. In this rotating bliss, all could undertake the responsibility.  On such days, Job would make a burnt offering to the Lord, thinking there was a chance one of his sons could have cursed God in their hearts. 

We are then transported to a Celestial forum.  There came a day, that the Sons of God, came to stand in attendance before the Lord.  

Among the Sons of God was Satan or the Adversary.  The superior translation from ancient Hebrew is ha’Satan, which stresses an identifiable function, more than a name. The ha’Satan can be thought of something like an Inquisitor, performing necessary but harsh work.  

The Lord posed a question to Satan -  From where does though comest?  There was no warm greeting, but more of an acknowledgement of an un-beloved visitor. The response: From roaming the earth, and walking up and down in it.  The implication is the Devil is here with us, all around, serving in his designated capacity.

The Lord queries: Have you paid head to my Servant Job, for there is none like him?  The Adversary proffers the fundamental question of the Book -- Does Job Fear God for Nothing?  

We see Satan's role as cynic.  He poses a question tempting the ultimate power, which takes things a step further than the Serpent tempting Eve in the Garden. What lacks is any semblance of a demonic personification.  There is more nuance, where Satan has a role to play in the Lord’s grand order.   

 Satan continues, Have you not made a hedge about him, this household and all that he has? You have blessed the work of his hand.  And spread his flocks. And yet, reach out you Your hand and touch all that he has. Will he not curse you to Your face? Satan is essentially asking, Let Me Test his Faith.

The Lord responded to Satan, All that he has is in Your hands. Only against him do Not reach out Your Hand. This essentially means - don't kill him. Satan got what he wanted and left, without a word wasted.  Satan then went out from the presence of the Lord.

There is some thought that Job, as the ideal man, stands in for us all. For if the Lord granted Satan the authority to test his beloved son, surely Satan has the grant of authority, ability and desire to test us all.