A Man called JOB

There was a man ….whose name was Job (Job 1:1).

 Job lived early within the period covered by the book of Genesis. He would have had no Scripture to read, and so many of his words which we have recorded must have come direct from God. He is described as being “perfect and upright” in the same sense as Noah, Abraham, and Jacob were. A paraphrase of this reads, “He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion”. He was a man of integrity in all the relations of life - as a father, a husband, a worshipper of God. That he was a man absolutely sinless, or without any tendency to evil, however, is disproved by his own confession, Job 9:20, and also Job 42:5-6. These then are the four characteristics of Job’s godliness - he was sincere, upright, a worshipper of God, and one who abstained from all wrong. This was the LORD’S opinion of him also, that there was none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and turns away from evil (Job 1:8). However, one of his friends (Eliphaz) had quite a different opinion (Job 22:5) of him compared to the Lord’s statement, but at the end of the day only the Lord's opinion counted, and it is the same for us; we should live our lives to please Him and not be weighed down by man's allegations.

Job was an extraordinary man, with great wealth and riches (Job 1:3). His sheep provided clothing and food; camels and donkeys provided transportation, and oxen provided food and power for ploughing. He was wealthy as well as being godly, two characteristics not often found together.

Job was a family man, concerned about his children (Job 1:5), even though they were adults living in their own homes. After each year’s round of birthday parties, he rose up early to sanctify them, and intercede for them. But there was a question in his mind. He wasn’t certain that they had sinned, but just in case they had, he offered a burnt offering for each one. When it comes to God and the human race, there is no doubt. God doesn’t say, “It may be that they have sinned,” but rather, “all have sinned.” And knowing our sins, He provided the perfect sacrifice in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Job was subjected to two tests – one on his possessions and family (Job 1:6-22), and one on his health (Job 2:1-10). In each test there were two scenes, one in heaven in which Satan accused Job, and one on earth where Satan attacked Job. In a very short time, Job lost all his material possessions, all his children, and his health. Then, adding to his problems, his friends accused him of having done wrong as the explanation for all his suffering, and God seemed to be distancing Himself from Job’s problems. It seemed so unjust and undeserving, but Job recognised that it was from the Lord he had come and to the Lord he would go (Job 1:21).  He survived the period of trials for one hundred and forty years, so no wonder we use the expression, “the patience of Job” (Jam 5:11). Amid all his sufferings he maintained his integrity, and though he did let fall some expressions of impatience, yet he was humbled for them, and brought to repentance. The eye of God never left him. He had been watched in all the circumstances. His path was fully known and observed.

At the culmination of his trials, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before, Job42:10-12.

It was from Job that we get the immortal words, I know that my redeemer lives (Job 19:25). To say, “I hope so, I trust so” is comfortable; and that is as far as many Christians can get. But to be really comforted in our times of testing we must be able to say, “I know.” “Ifs, buts, and perhapses”, give some peace and comfort, but if I know that the Lord Jesus lives for me, then we can rest assured that we are in His hands. Surely if Job, in those ages before the coming and advent of Christ, could say, “I know,” we ought to be able to say the same.  Job was not speaking of some principle which was dear to him, but of a Person who was his redeemer, One who was living, and One who would stand and be seen by him in the future. Job is the first recorded man to speak of "my redeemer", the only other occasion in Scripture is Psa 19:14.

His story should much encourage us. Like Job we might undergo many afflictions, but we have the promise of the Lord, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5). Have we had a wilderness experience that we felt would never end? Was it loneliness, financial problems, ill health or other problems that went on and seemed to just get worse? Let us rejoice, for through it all we will find, like Job, that the Lord has been with us, and we truly lacked nothing.