Walton summarizes his conclusions about the Challenger (p. 74 – Walton):
- He is one of the “sons of God” (a member of the divine council)
- He serves as a policy watchdog.
- He uses the ambiguity of Job’s motives and concept of God to challenge God’s policies.
- He does not act independently.
- He is not inherently evil.
- He cannot confidently be identified with Satan in the New Testament.
Longman doesn’t discuss the accuser as extensively as Walton, but the conclusion is the same. Both find it highly unlikely that the accuser or challenger in Job can or should be identified with Satan.
Nice.