The Battle for Humanity: Satan's Claim and Our Redeemer

 

"The Battle for Humanity: Satan's Claim and Our Redeemer"

Scripture Focus:

• Job 1:6–11

• Matthew 4:8–9

• Jude 1:9

• Luke 22:31

• Book of Ruth

From Genesis onward, we see a cosmic controversy—Satan claiming ownership of this fallen world and the souls within it. Scripture paints a sobering picture of the adversary’s accusations, ambitions, and attacks. But it also gives us hope—a Redeemer who steps in when we are helpless.

Satan’s Bold Claim to Ownership

In Job 1:6–11, Satan appears before God, not as a trespasser but as one who believes he has the right to speak for the earth. When God highlights Job’s righteousness, Satan mocks it, claiming Job only serves God because of divine protection. In other words, Satan claims that no one truly belongs to God—they’re his, bought by fear or favor.

In Matthew 4:8–9, Satan dares to offer Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He doesn’t say he’ll steal them—he offers them as though they are already his. And Jesus doesn’t argue that point, because the world, steeped in sin, was indeed under Satan’s dominion, temporarily.

In Jude 1:9, we see a spiritual tug-of-war over the body of Moses. Satan contends even for the dead! He doesn’t yield his claim easily. This reveals how deeply he believes that humanity—living or dead—belongs to him.

And in Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has “asked to sift you like wheat.” Satan claims the right to test, to shake, to try us—again showing his belief that we are his to break.

Boaz and the Story of Redemption

This brings us to the book of Ruth. In Ruth’s story, Naomi and Ruth return from Moab destitute and without hope. Ruth, a foreigner and widow, had no standing, no claim to land or future. But Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, steps in—not because he had to, but because he chose to.

Boaz pays the price to redeem Ruth and the land that belonged to her family. He confronts legal obstacles, just like Christ faced Satan’s accusations. He satisfies the requirements of the law and covers Ruth with his name—just like Jesus covers us with His righteousness.

The Gospel in One Word: Redeemer

Satan may claim us—by sin, by heritage, by right of death. But just as Boaz redeemed Ruth from loss and shame, Jesus is our Redeemer. He came not just to silence Satan’s claims, but to fulfill the law and purchase us with His blood.

Just as Boaz stood before the elders to redeem Ruth publicly, Jesus triumphed openly over Satan at the cross (Col. 2:15). Satan's claim was real—but Christ’s authority is final.

Though Satan claims dominion over humanity, Jesus claims us in love. He redeems us not just from sin, but from the false ownership of the enemy. In a world where Satan says, “They are mine,” Jesus says, “No—they are Mine, bought with a price.”

Just like Ruth, we were outsiders with no hope. But God sent a Redeemer. And in Him, we are safe, loved, and free. Amen!

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi