"When you compare 2:3 against 1:12, "..The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands", you can only reconcile these verses by saying God not only allows all things to take place but views Himself as responsible although He may not perform the act."
In 1:12 God limits Satan to Job's possessions "keep your hands off his person." In 2:3-7 God acknowledges he was "provoked" by Satan. Satan challenges God again, "lay a finger on his bone and flesh, and I warrant he will curse you to your face." So, a somewhat capricious God says to Satan "...he is in your power. But spare his life." Three things, I think, are important. God concedes that Satan was able to provoke Him. God goes against his first prohibition and allows Satan the power to touch Job's person. And, God asks Satan to spare Jobs life. It seems to me that God is really allowing Job and Satan to go head to head. If this were not true, what would be the lesson or merit of the story?