“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.” (Job 1:6 KJV)
This verse presents some very interesting ideas. “…sons of God…” Other sons? In the Hebrew it seems to be used in several occasions depicting literally a man’s son. Yet it is also a word interpreted in it’s broadest sense to include an adopted son, a grandson, and even a figurative relationship like a whole nation coming from an individual. So, why is this such an interesting verse? Well, compare this with something much more fundamental to our faith. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV) Some translations like the NIV or the Message do well to include “one and only” but forget the term begotten. Why is this term “begotten” so critical? It is because it narrows the meaning of “son” down to a born son. One and only is great, but begotten or born is the real distinguishing factor. In the words of C.S. Lewis, “A men begets human babies, a beaver begets little beavers and a bird begets eggs which turn into little birds. But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself.” (Mere Christianity, pp. 157) God made Adam from the dry ground (Genesis 2:7), but God conceived Jesus (Matthew 1:20). It is interesting to consider the irony of Joseph adopting Jesus and then Jesus adopting us (including Joseph). Still, I think Paul gives us good reminders of how we are adopted into a son relationship with God (see Romans 8, Galatians 4, and Ephesians 1).
We see that presenting yourself to God does not seem to change with time. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 KJV) Then again He is an eternal God and we are brought into an eternal relationship, so why would it? Yet even with those in Job who came before God to present themselves, God distinguishes between sons and those who tag along.
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7 KJV)