The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
The scene shifts from Job's home to God's presence, where Satan appears among the angels. His opening question draws out where this enemy is, what he does, and who is in charge.
Why God Asks the Question
God is not asking for information. He is bringing the matter into the open, as He did in Eden:
William Kelly"The LORD said to Satan, 'From where have you come?'" He would bring it out. Of course, God did know. But here, as in Genesis, we are in those early days when God dealt with people as with children. He brought things out plainly for those who needed the plainest truth. So we see Him elsewhere coming down to look after man. He knew perfectly well without calling after him in the garden of Eden; but it is for us that He reveals it in this way.
Where Satan Is Now
His own answer settles a question people still get wrong — he is not locked away somewhere:
W. W. FeredayPopular theology seems vague about where Satan is at present. Some speak of him as if he were already in Hell; others seem to limit his work to the earth. His own words in Job 1:7 are enough to prove that he has not yet been cast into Hell... One thing is certain. Once Satan or any other transgressor goes into Hell, he will never come out again to walk to and fro on the earth. Hell's miserable prisoners will not be allowed to roam about at will.
But moving from place to place is also a confession of limits:
Leslie M. GrantThis shows that Satan is not everywhere at once, as God is. Satan can only be in one place at a time, however quickly he may travel. Yet he has many agents, evil spirits, who carry on his wicked work throughout the world... Some have also questioned whether Satan knows our thoughts. Absolutely not! Only God knows the hearts and thoughts of mankind. He alone is omniscient.
Restless Motion, and the One Who Offers Rest
What God draws out of him is a life with no rest in it. The contrast could not be sharper:
William KellyGod speaks with grace in front of everyone. He brings out the restless hatred of the evil one. That hatred stands in contrast with Him who would come down in love to seek the lost. "Come to me," He said in the hour of His rejection, "and I will give you rest." He said it not only untroubled, but in overflowing love. Satan knows nothing of that rest, and neither do the wicked... But here is the enemy of God and man, who knows no rest and shows his unrest in malicious activity.
Two Places, One Character
The verse shows him in God's presence and describes him on earth. He is not a different being in each place:
Samuel RidoutIn this conversation the Lord challenges and Satan accuses. The answer to the first question shows where Satan is carrying on his work. Like the restless raven flying over the endless waters after the flood, he walks about "like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." In heaven he is the accuser. On earth he is the destroyer. Wherever he is, he is always and only Satan — the enemy of God and of good.
That roaming is not history. It is the world believers live in now, and it shows where he aims:
Hamilton SmithThough the cross broke the devil's power, he has not yet been thrown into the lake of fire. As a restless and roaring lion he is still "going to and fro on the earth… walking up and down on it" (Job 1:7; Job 2:2). His aim, as always, is to destroy. With God's people his efforts take the form of trying to destroy their faith in God.
He Roams, but on a Leash
Satan speaks here as one summoned and answerable:
J. N. DarbyNotice the description of Satan: he goes "to and fro in the world," "prowling around, seeking someone to devour." In such times we need great caution. But let God's people feel that this power is only permitted. God limits it, restrains it, and subdues it at His will.
Summary
- Question — God asks where Satan comes from. He does not need telling. He brings hidden things into the open for our sake.
- Answer — his reply proves he is not yet in hell, but loose on the earth. A creature who must travel is not everywhere at once, and he cannot read your thoughts.
- Restlessness — the to-and-fro is his character. He knows no rest, unlike the Christ who gives rest to all who come.
- Reach — in heaven he accuses, on earth he destroys, and with God's people his aim is their faith.
- Restraint — the verse that shows him roaming also shows him answering to God. His power is permitted, hemmed in, and held down at God's will.