Yahweh, the Devil, and Job

[John V]

In Job 1:8 after God noticing satan's apparent idleness asked him if he had considered his servant Job, delineating his noteworthy attributes. Satan goes on to insinuate that he has noticed Job but if were not for the hedge of protection that God had placed about him he likely would have already set upon him. So God does the unthinkable, he removes his protection from Job allowing satan to have at him.

I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with your conclusion. As you note yourself, God praises Job, while Satan makes charges against him. God removes the hedge about him, but it's Satan who attacks. Satan is the antagonist.