Identifying the Sons of God in Job 1

Job 1

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

The "sons of God" mentioned in Job 1 represent the leaders and representatives of unfallen worlds who assemble in heavenly councils to report to the Creator Job 1:6EVRR389. These celestial beings existed before the creation of the earth and rejoiced when its foundations were laid Job 38:4-7PTUK January 12, 1893, page 16.6.

The Assembly of the Sons of God

• Representatives of Other Worlds: Scripture indicates that the leaders of other unfallen worlds assemble periodically in council before GodEVRR389. These "sons of God" are the commanders of the angel hosts and representatives of sinless realms across the universeDA 834.1.

• The Attendance of Satan: On the day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also appeared among them Job 1:6. By seducing Adam and Eve in Eden, Satan usurped Adam’s position and attended these heavenly councils as the self-appointed representative or "ruler of this world" John 12:31EVRR389.

• Adam's Original Role: Before the fall, Adam himself was considered a "son of God" and was the rightful prince and representative of this earth Luke 3:38SSP 326.2.

The Purpose of the Council

• Accountability and Worship: These meetings at the gate of heaven are occasions where heavenly beings present themselves before the Lord to stand in His counselNWAD PRESENT.20+1.

• Satan as the Accuser: During these assemblies, Satan acted as the "accuser of the brethren," questioning the loyalty of God's followers, such as Job, and claiming that their service was merely based on the blessings they received Job 1:8-11EVRR389.

Changes After the Cross

• Satan's Expulsion: While Satan continued to return to these councils as earth's representative for four thousand years, he was finally and permanently cast out following the death of Christ on CalvaryEVRR389+1.

• Christ as Our Representative: Because Jesus overcame Satan, He has now taken the place of the representative of this worldSSP 326.2. Instead of an accuser at the gate of heaven, we now have a merciful and faithful High Priest who intercedes on our behalf Hebrews 2:17SSP 326.2.

• Final Joy: One day, the redeemed from earth will join these heavenly beings in joyful worship, and the original harmony of the creation—when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy—will be fully restored Job 38:7DA 769.2+1.