In verses 1-6 of chapter 42, Job answers the LORD and he says the right things. The narrator is clear that we get this (v. 7, 8). But the reader has seen that Job hasn’t always been right. Elihu nails Job from chapters 32-37, and then the LORD concludes the rebuke in 38-42. Job needs to be and is dramatically called out and corrected.

So, then, does Satan’s proposal in 1:8 stand? Does Satan prove that Job’s faith–his “fear of God”– is superficial?

No. The narrative goes on to demonstrate that Satan is very wrong. But, as we see, the faith of Job that debunks Satan’s accusation is a faith laden with errors. And yet this imperfect, cracked up faith is what God references and rebukes in order to manifest His glory and Satan’s defeat.

What does this mean? What follows is a judgment, not a summary or simplification: Upon the reality of this narrative, I judge that God is not so much glorified by a faith that is perfect, but by a faith that is real. A faith that He Himself has born, and one that He Himself will perfect.

Philippians 1:6 is true and we’d better base our lives on it.