returned and snatch the wolf's supposed prey away from him.
Samael said to the Lord: "Up to this time the children of Israel
were idol worshippers, and now Thou proposest so great a thing as
dividing the sea for them?" What did the Lord do? He surrendered
Job to Samael, saying, "While he busies himself with Job, Israel
will pass through the sea unscathed, and as soon as they are in
safety, I will rescue Job from the hands of Samael." [27]

Israel had other angel adversaries, besides. Uzza, the tutelary
Angel of the Egyptians, appeared before God, and said, "O Lord of
the world! I have a suit with this nation which Thou hast brought
forth out to Egypt. If it seemeth well to Thee, let their angel
Michael appear, and contend with me before Thee." The Lord
summoned Michael, and Uzza stated his charges against Israel: "O
Lord of the world! Thou didst decree concerning this people of
Israel that is hall be held in bondage by my people, the Egyptians,
for a period of four hundred years. But they had dominion over
them only eighty-six years, therefore the time of their going forth
hath not yet arrived. If it be Thy will, give me permission to take
them back to Egypt, that they may continue in slavery for the three
hundred and fourteen years that are left, and Thy word be fulfilled.
As Thou are immutable, so let Thy decree be immutable!"

Michael was silent, for he knew not how to controvert these words,
and it seemed as if Uzza had won his suit. But the Lord Himself
espoused the cause of Israel, and He said to Uzza: "The duty of
serving thy nation was laid upon My children only on account of
an unseemly word uttered by Abraham. When I spoke to him,
saying, 'I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees,
to give thee this land to inherit it,' he made answer, 'Whereby shall