From the very beginning Satan has been there bringing destruction to mankind. It is this writer’s belief that under the old (Mosaical) law Satan or the devil worked directly upon his prey. I believe this is evidenced many times throughout the scriptures beginning in the Garden of Eden when he tempted Eve while he was in the form of a serpent.  

Why would Satan work directly? This would fall in line with this dispensation of the law being a physical law, in contrast to the New Testament, which is a spiritual law. Also, God allowing Satan to do to Job the works he did without destroying him would be an indication of this.

We see further indications of this in the record of the Gospel accounts of the New Testament while the Old Law  was still in effect (examples are in the next paragraph).

While in the Garden, Satan had deceived Eve into believing that God did not want them (Adam and Eve) to eat of the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil because when they did they would be equal to God. After this occasion God made a promise to Satan when he said,  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed, He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. Genesis 3:15  

Satan, the old devil, had worked his evil doings on Eve, Job, the many demon possessed who were brought to Jesus while he was at Peter’s house (Mt. 8:16), the 2 men in the country of Gadarenes (Mt. 8:28-34), the dumb man (Mt. 9:32), and the two men in the tombs. (Mark 5:2ff) Then came the one who would bruise Satan’s head. While Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by the lord of this world, the devil himself, Christ kicked him in the head and removed him from his lordship when He said to Satan (after he had offered Christ the world if he would fall down and worship him), Be gone Satan, It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.(Matthew 4:1-10) And then SEE SATAN RUN in verse 11, the devil left Him. Satan cannot withstand resistance. Later Christ bound Satan (Rev. 20:2) when He died on the cross (1John 3:8-10) and was raised, which is the ultimate defeating of Satan, that is overcoming death and receiving His glory at the right hand of God.  

My friends BEWARE your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.(James 5:8 NAS) Do not give the devil an opportunity (Eph. 4:27)NAS. Be prepared, Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Eph.6:11) NAS. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but world forces of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. Eph. 6:12 NAS. We are tempted by our own lust. James 1:14,15  

Satan knew the words of Christ and practiced them, that if no one will receive you or hear your words shake off the dust from your feet, taught in Matthew 10:14. There are many that will listen and receive.  

SEE SATAN RUN Resist him. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7