What was Satan doing in Heaven? (Job 1–2)

*Firstly, let it be said that Job is a book that must be understood in its entirety. It is best read all at once. It should also be remembered that some things—for instance what the friends say—may not be true but serve the book in highlighting what is ultimately true. For a good overview watch this video from the Bible Project.
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Was Job real?

Some have suggested that Job never existed, that Job is merely a fictitious story about a man meant to convey eternal truths that are real. If this were the case, Satan’s presence in the story wouldn’t raise so many questions—it would be hypothetical.

However, the rest of the Bible interprets the story as being real. This is the case with Ezekiel (Ezk 14:14) and also James the brother of Jesus (Ja 5:11). So, this doesn’t provide an answer.

It wasn’t Satan but the satan.

*For a similar incident see Zech 3.

The Hebrew word here means accuser or adversary and is generally used in these ways, not speaking of a person. It could be that this is not Satan but an angel whose role it is to accuse those on earth in the heavenly courtroom—“the accuser.” However the presence of the definitive article, along with other contexts in which it refers to a specific person make it more likely it is to be understood not as a role but a name—THE accuser. Thus, this is Satan as seen in 1 Chr 21:1 and Rev 12:9. That his appearance is out of place and his role fits that of Satan’s generally further supports this.

Did the episode take place in heaven?

Maybe the way around the natural uncomfortableness of seeing God’s arch enemy appear in heaven—a place of holiness—can be resolved by seeing the location of this court as somewhere other than heaven. This is possible. The scene is of a king’s court, where in years past the executive, legislative and judicial aspects of governance were executed through one man, the king. Usually this took place in the throne room of the castle or palace, however, it was also common for there to be an assize, a travelling court throughout the kingdom. Could this be a cosmic assize where the LORD is executing governance in one specific location other than in heaven? After all He is omnipresent.

Two things suggest otherwise. The first is that the courtroom of heaven is the normative location for such events described in the Bible. The second is that when Satan is asked where he has come from his reply is “earth.” This word clearly conveys that the LORD must in fact be holding court in heaven.

What about Satan?
Satan, likely a fallen archangel, was cast out of heaven between Creation and the Fall for leading a rebellion against God (Rev 12, et al). Since the Fall He has dominion over the earth as 'the prince of this world' (Jn 14:30). While with Christ's victory on the Cross His power has been subdued (Mk 3:27, Rev 20), he nevertheless wields great influence and is the accuser of God's people (c.f. Ro 8:1). While presently sentenced to the lake of fire, one day he'll actually be imprisoned there. Until then He is kept by God on a short leash to accomplish His purposes. 

What then?
Before we decide, two other important details can be noted:

1. He is an outsider (“Satan also came among them”).
2. His authority is not absolute for he relies on the LORD’s permission. His activity is bound by what the LORD says (e.g. “Only against him do not stretch out your hand.”). 

Still, what on earth was Satan doing in heaven? Satan is the head of the rebellion against the LORD. Satan stands for evil and yet Ps 5:4 says “You allow no evil in your presence.” Here lies the dilemma, Satan is there as the epitome of evil, yet God has said this cannot be, yet both are recorded in the Bible—what now?

I would suggest we need to understand “your presence” in the language of the courtroom, where accusers are entertained (remembering Jesus himself, as God, encountered evil, even Satan). It was common for King's to entertain the guilty in the throne room of their castle without the guilty ever being allowed to waltz through the rest of his home. 

It is clear that Satan is not dwelling in heaven, he is only in the throneroom. He is the Rebel of rebels. He does not belong there as his awkward entrance makes clear. Yet God permits his entrance and between the LORD and his fallen angel a higher battle plays out, one in which God will triumph over Satan through His servant Job.

To further help us understand, a contemporary illustration. Imagine a good employer who fires a troublesome employee. One day, the employer is having a board meeting or a meeting with supervisors on the workplace floor, and in struts the ex-employee, full of no good. The good employer’s character and wisdom is so great that he is not threatened by this ex-employee who stoops so low. The man is out of place, even permitted to enter by the employers discretion, yet for the manifold declaration of the employers justice and control, he allows even this worthless ex-employee to enter, even scheme, so that in the end it may be shown how utterly foolish he is, and how wonderful the employer is. The employer is not threatened or his goodness impinged and it is clear the incident is not normative.