Who is Satan?

SEEKING TO KNOW

The modern idea and depiction of Satan, in truth, is a far cry from how he is actually represented in the Bible. When one takes a closer look at the Hebrew context of Satan, even if it doesn’t become abundantly clear, fresh questions will arise in our hearts.

It’s no secret that time has a way of changing narratives, especially when a particular story is exchanged between peoples of different mindsets and cultures. The Bible has been a great victim of the ‘Chinese whisperer’ parable.

In life, we sometimes have the habit of approaching and interpreting things and people according to our limited understanding and experiences, as opposed to seeking to know them for what they truly are.

If we've had a bad experience with a dog during childhood, we could see the most harmless canine and still tremble in fear; instead of seeking to know the dog in front of us. If we've had a bad experience with men or women, we can meet the best man or woman in the world and look at them as though they were the ones who hurt us in the past.

We could also have had great experiences with people most of our lives, so great that when a truly sinister person appears, we confuse them to be an angel because of the "angels" we met before.

This is because often times we interpret the world around us from the lens of our limited experiences or culture, we don't always seek to truly know who is standing in front of us. We meet people and we are sometimes more interested in what we have to say to them than we are in actually listening to them, seeing them for who they truly are.

We often interpret the world from the focal point of 'me, myself & I', saying ‘this is good’, ‘that is bad‘, thus leading to all manners of misinterpretations and error. It is commonly said that books are judged by their covers but in truth, books are judged by our 'interpretation' of their covers.

To 'culture A', the color red can be a symbol of evil and death. To 'culture B', that same color red can be a symbol of vibrance and life. If we approach culture B with the mindset of culture A, we will certainly think they are devils because of the color red splashed everywhere.

Every good businessman or woman knows well to inform him or herself of the cultural mindset of an international client or business partner before engaging in business with him/her. One cannot approach a Chinese businessman with a Nigerian business sense and vice versa.

This is because people are different and everyone truly speaks a language completely unique unto themselves. If we don't cultivate the habit of seeking to understand what different things mean to different people, we would make many false conclusions and fall into error. To some people "Father" means something warm and loving, to others that same word "Father" can mean monster.

"Why have you begun with this premise?" you might ask. Even though the Bible is a universal book, articulating truths and experiences applicable to all peoples, it was written in the jewish language, built upon the cultural and spiritual psychology of the Jewish people.

If one approaches the art, crafts or teachings of ANY people without first understanding the deeper aspects their cultural psychology, and how it expresses itself through their various art forms, a lot of mistranslations and misinterpretations are guaranteed. We see this happen everyday on every level and all of us are guilty of misinterpreting something or someone at one point in time or another.

I was once reclining to a good lunch at a cafe in Dubai, crossing my legs in the english manner with the sole of my foot pointing outwards. There happened to be an old man from Saudi Arabia, sitting in the direction my foot was facing and I noticed him looking at me with much outrage.

This confused me greatly.

I proceeded to ask my friend who was with me why this was happening and he told me that in the Arab culture, pointing your foot at a person, or placing your foot upon them, is a symbolic way of saying "you are beneath me", "you are subject to me", "I am your master", thus they take offense from it.

Of course, seeing as the Arab and Jewish nations are deeply related with one another in 'cultural psychology', it's no surprise that we see a phrase like this in the Bible:

'The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”' Psalms 110:1

To begin to understand this small phrase, one must first understand that the 'right hand' of a king signifies a person who is an 'expression' and 'extension' of a King's will and authority; one must first understand that a 'footstool' is representative of something or someone who is under one's dominion or control; one must first understand that our 'enemy' is not somebody in our village or someone in another 'religion', but our enemy is our own laziness, pride, lust, greed, anger etc.

Until we begin to align ourselves with God's will for us (sitting at the right hand), we cannot have access to the power and authority (the right hand) required to make our enemies (gluttony, vanity, fear etc.) subject to us. Instead, we will be the footstool of our anger and pride and whenever our pride says 'jump', like a devoted servant we will say 'how high'.

Most certainly, this small verse communicates so much more than this humble explanation I have given, I however wish for us to remember that though the Bible has been translated to english, it is NOT an english book, neither was it written by 'western' minds and cultural concepts. So therefore, if one approaches 'culture A' with the mindset of 'culture B', misinterpretation is guaranteed.

This is why many unfortunately think that the 'old testament God' is a monster and the 'new testament Jesus' is the gentle one, as though Jesus did not say 'these very scriptures testify of me'.

Unfortunately, because the Roman Catholic church severed Christianity from its mother, Judaism, many of us have not been taught how to read the symbolical language and mode of communication of the Hebrews, we take everything literally. Some of us haven't been taught that even their very alphabets are symbolic and pregnant with meaning.

The first letter of their alphabet, 'Aleph', which is synonymous to our latin alphabet 'A', doesn't just mean the 'ahh' sound but is also representative of that which is 'first', that which is the beginning, it also represents the breath of God. Their second letter 'Beth', synonymous to our 'B', doesn't just mean the 'Buhh' sound, but is also representative of a house or container of God.

Literally, the letter 'Aleph' which is symbolic of breath, coming before the letter 'Beth', which is symbolic of a house, talks about how the breath or spirit of God enters into a house that God prepares. It is why in the original Hebrew text, the book of Genesis begins with the letter "Beth", signifying God breathing his spirit, 'Aleph', into creation; his house; Beth.

It is why 'BETH-El' means 'house of God'. It is also why it is written that Jesus was born in 'BETH-Lehem'. These are very deep and powerful symbols that go beyond a historical account. All mystical people, including the Jews, are known for concealing the most profound wisdom behind simple stories; whether the stories are literally true or not.

It doesn't matter if the parable of the widow's mite that Jesus narrated was a literal account or not. That sincerely was not the point and the average jewish mind does not care if the story was literally true or not. What matters is the truth, life, light, Christ, concealed within that story.

If one approaches the Bible simply as a historical book, forensically investigating each detail on the surface, confusion will surely be their portion. This is why many people laugh at the bible and label it as contradictory and incongruent. I pity such people for their ignorance and out of compassion I sometimes give the little I have to help them if their heart is open.

A truly spiritual or mystical person switches from literal to symbolical speaking in the twinkling of an eye. If one does not pay attention to the spirit behind the narration of a truly 'spiritual person', one would easily be misled by them and they will allow you to be confused.

When Jesus said 'tear down this temple and I will rebuild in three days' or 'eat my flesh and drink my blood', he knew they did not understand him and he did not bother explaining to them because only those who 'have an ear' for God can hear what the spirit is saying. "He who has an ear, let him hear".

This is why it is written in Luke 24:45 - 'then he opened their eyes to understand the scriptures'. It is good to ask ourselves: "would their eyes need to be opened if nothing was hidden from them?"

From first hand experience with Jewish Rabbis and scholars, I can say that the average Jewish scholar knows that there is more to Abraham crossing the Jordan river than just a historical account. The river is symbolic of the crossover from darkness to light; which is an internal thing.

Frankly speaking, it does not matter to the average jewish scholar if the life of Abraham was literally as it was narrated or not. That sincerely is not the point of that story. Certainly, Christianity shot itself in the foot when it separated itself from Judaism, as though Jesus and Paul were not Jewish Rabbis.

We thank God however for his love and mercy, who will always bring truth to the doorstep of those who seek for it. The Bible has been greatly misinterpreted firstly because we have been taught a middle eastern religion through the lens of western psychology, secondly, and greatest of all, we've been taught a spiritual doctrine from many unspiritual perspectives. God is changing that now.

For those of us hearing some of these things for the first time, please, there is no shame in not having known this prior. There is joy in fresh discovery and we must never let anyone put us down for not having known something. How can we know what we don't know? Certainly, there is joy is fresh discovery.

Life, in any field or dimension, begins in profound ignorance and ends in knowledge; ignorance is part of knowledge. Ignorance is not a shameful thing, neither is a knowledge a thing to be proud of. Let us now begin to talk about what Satan means according to the Hebrew mind.

OPPOSITION

The Hebrew word 'Shatan', translated as 'Satan', literally means 'opponent'. This word occurs exactly 27 times in the Hebrew old testament and is always used to described something or someone that opposes another thing. Let us remember that the Bible was written in Hebrew, not english.

To the Jewish mind, and according to the Bible, Satan is not a particular person but a 'principle' used to describe many different things and people INCLUDING ANGELS, who GOD SENDS to oppose something or someone. Let us investigate:

'Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary (SHATAN) against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. ' Numbers 22:22-23

If one does not delve into the original Hebrew text, a passage like this will easily be overlooked. This is because the english translators of the bible, for whatever reason, deliberately translated certain instances where the Hebrew word 'Shatan' was used to 'Satan' and others to 'adversary', 'opponent', 'accuser'.

The idea of THE GREAT AND POWERFUL SATAN being some rogue agent messing up God's plans, leaving the Almighty God to play catch up is not only unbiblical but sincerely absurd. How can God be almighty if he keeps getting outwitted by the Devil? The question to ask ourselves, is it God that gets outwitted by the devil or is it us?

Everyone knows of the story of Job and how God sent Satan to test Job.

There are many who have twisted that story so much in order to give an excuse for why God would send an adversary to someone. Some even go as far as saying that Job didn't know what he was talking about. Friends, God does not need defenders, the scriptures only need to be understood. Let us see another scripture:

'And God raised up another adversary (SHATAN) against him, Rezon the son of Eliadah, who had fled from his lord, Hadadezer king of Zobah.

He was an adversary (SHATAN) of Israel all the days of Solomon (besides the trouble that Hadad caused ); and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.' I Kings 11:23,25

Here again we see God sending a Satan, opponent, adversary, to Solomon in the book of Kings because of Solomon's disobedience and falling away from God. How can an 'all loving God' send an opponent to Solomon? some might ask. "What is your understanding of love?" I would ask in return and "what does opposition mean to you?".

It is commonly taught that the serpent in the garden was a rogue angel that snuck into the garden without God's knowledge to deceive Adam & Eve but let us see what the scripture says:

'Out of the ground the Lord God formed every BEAST of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. ' Genesis 2:19

'Now the serpent was more cunning than any BEAST of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”' Genesis 3:1

So in Genesis 2, we see when God formed every 'beast' of the field. In Genesis 3 we that the serpent was 'among' the beasts of the field that the LORD GOD HAD MADE. Really? So the formation of Satan, the most cunning of the beasts of the field, is right there in Genesis? Hmmm...

If Satan was some out of control agent, always leaving God on the defense, why did Jesus allow Satan, opposition, to have Peter? Why did he expect that in Peter facing Satan, opposition, adversary, challenge, he would grow in strength?

'And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”' Luke 22:31-32

Why did Paul ask that a brother in the Corinthian church be handed over to Satan for the 'destruction of his flesh, that his life may be saved'? What does the work of satan, adversity, opposition, have to do with the working out of salvation in an individual?

'In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.' I Corinthians 5:4-5

Why was a messenger of Satan, 'a thorn in Paul's flesh', given to him to 'help' him not become swallowed in pride? After Paul prayed three times that this messenger of Satan be taken from him, Why did God tell Paul "my grace is sufficient", as opposed to removing the challenge?

'And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ' II Corinthians 12:7

Why did God make Paul face that challenge? I thought God was supposed to give me everything I want on a platter of gold? I thought God would never let me face any challenges in life? I thought that everything is supposed to go smoothly without a single hitch or difficulty?

Why did the Holy Spirit drive Jesus into the wilderness to confront Satan, opposition, before his ministry? Why was it necessary for him to overcome the devil, the obstacle, the exam? Why was it written that he was among WILD BEASTS (remember Genesis 2 &3)?

'Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ' Matthew 4:1

'Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.' Mark 1:12-13

How come this concept of being driven to the wilderness to be tempted of the devil is spoken of in the book of Deuteronomy, where God himself says he is the one doing the testing?

'And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord . ' Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Is Satan a shooter or is he a gun? Is Satan the knife wielder or is he the knife? Is Satan in control or is God in control? Why are there many different things called Satan? I thought he was only one guy with horns seated in hell? How comes he is able to gather where sons of God gather to discuss with God? I thought he was God's enemy? I thought God has been playing catch up with Satan's tricks?

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

Why does 1 Chronicles 21:1 say that Satan caused David to make a census, but in Samuel 24:1 it says that the Lord caused David to make the census?

'Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. ' I Chronicles 21:1

'Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”' II Samuel 24:1

Why was the anger of the Lord associated with Satan? What is the anger of the Lord? Is it to destroy us or is it to destroy sin in us and work out his righteousness? Why is God's selfless, constructive and salvation seeking anger different from man's vindictive, selfish and destruction seeking anger?

'So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.' James 1:19-20

My friends, there is much to think about and much to question. This write up will serve as an introduction into this subject of Satan, adversity, opposition. I would ask us to do some research of our own before we expand things further in the next write up, and talk about how this concept applies to us and our day to day lives.

I would greatly appreciate our comments and questions, it will also help me communicate to you better and clarify areas that might be unclear. Please, feel free to utilize the comment section below or contact me directly in the CONTACT page. God bless.

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