Luke 22:31-32 - Conversations with Satan

These verses in Luke, reminded me of another conversation that took place many years before.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

How critical it is that we have a advocate before the Father. John Gill writes...

But I have prayed for thee,.... Christ prayed for all the apostles; but particularly for Peter, because he was in the greatest danger: whether the prayer Christ refers to was that in Joh 17:1 in which are many passages relating to the preservation, sanctification, final perseverance and glorification of the apostles, as well as of other saints, as in Joh 17:9 and so these words might be spoken a little after that prayer was ended, which was about this same time; or whether it was any other, and only mental, and not vocal, is not certain: however, the petition was,

Perhaps even before the foundation of the world this incident was already known by God.

And of course we know that Chirst was there from the beginning, as the eternal third person of the Trinity. Which he confirms in this way as the chapter closes.

Luk 22:67  Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

Luk 22:68  And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

Luk 22:69  Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Luk 22:70  Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

Luk 22:71  And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Look back and see this earlier conversation between God and Satan in the book of Job.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

Job 1:6  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 1:7  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.

Job 1:8  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?

Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Job 1:10  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.

Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 1:12  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.

And a second time here..

Satan Attacks Job's Health

Job 2:1  Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

Job 2:2  And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 2:3  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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 2:4  And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Job 2:5  But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 2:6  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Job 2:7  So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.