In the midst of all the major issues touched on in the book of Job, we must not lose sight of a crucial theme: that of Job himself. Who was this man whom the Lord trusted so much that He chal¬lenged the devil over his faithfulness and integrity? Did Job stay committed to God’s agenda right through to the end? What was Job like, and what can we learn about how he lived that can help to make us be more faithful followers of the Lord as we live our own lives?
Job 1:1, 8
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
Job lived a life of an accurate singular standard; he was a blameless and upright man, one who feared God and shunned evil. His lifestyle attracted cosmic discuss as God had to probe Satan about him. Satan whose mission is to run to and fro the earth also has a massive business of scanning through people’s lives and considering their ways and activities on earth. Satan is a tool or a system the Lord uses to bring alignment to His representatives on earth.
Job was “blameless and upright.” The picture painted in the original Hebrew is that of a man who is morally straight, perfect, and innocent. Bible scholar Adam Clarke describes Job this way: “All within was holy, all without was righteous; and his whole life was employed in departing from evil, and drawing nigh to God.” The New Living Translation says Job was “a man of complete integrity.”
Being described as “perfect” does not mean Job never did any wrong. Only Christ has lived a perfect life on earth. Job’s righteousness, perfection, and innocence came from God through impartation. How good and how faithful was Job?
First, the text tells us that he was “perfect.” Like we have established, this word does not have to mean “sinless,” as was Jesus. It comes, instead, with the idea of completeness, integrity, sincerity, but in a relative sense. The person who is “perfect” in the sight of God is the person who has reached the degree of development that Heaven expects of him or her at any given time. The Hebrew word for “perfect,” “tam,” is equivalent to the Greek word “teleios,” which is often translated “perfect” in the New Testament but which is better translated “full grown” or “mature.” Job’s later experiences revealed that he had not reached the ultimate perfection of character. Though faithful and upright, he was still growing.
Second, the text says he was “upright.” The word means “straight,” “just,” “right.” Job lived in a way that he could be called “a good citizen.”
Third, the text says he “feared God.” Though the Old Testament portrays the idea of “fearing” God as part of what being a faithful Israelite was all about, the phrase also was used in the New Testament for Gentiles who faithfully served the God of Israel (Acts 10:2, 22).
Finally, Job “eschewed,” or shunned, evil. This characterization of Job was affirmed by the Lord Himself, when He said to Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8).
In the end, Job was a man of God whose faith was revealed by the kind of life he lived; and thus, he truly bore witness “to angels, and to men” (1 Cor. 4:9) about what a person can be in Christ.
JOB’S SINS
1. The sin of self-centeredness: Job 1:5
The kingdom agenda is not after a man who is empowered and resourced by God for self-gratification. Job was so concerned about his sons not committing sin and cursing God in their hearts. He sanctified his sons alone without consideration of the vast purpose of God to sanctify sinners in his community and the nations.
2. The sin of complacency
Job 16:12 “I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target.
To be at “ease” speaks of idleness, slothfulness, complacency etc; God declares a curse on those who are complacent.
Amos 6:1a “Woe to you who are at ease in Zion,”
Job failed to do the right thing that would bring him out of his problem until the Lord confronted him about it. In Job 38:12-13, God said to Job “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place, That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?”
Do you harbor anger towards God or question His wisdom? Every problem you have has ears; speak to it now! Ask God for understanding, and if you cannot have understanding, ask Him for peace—we do not have to understand a situation to have peace in its midst. Ask Him for help, wisdom, and strength.
JOB’S CONVERSION
Job 42:5-6, 10 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes. 10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
The battle of the last days is between sight and blindness. Not until Job saw, he did not humble himself for repentance. The Lord is going to restore your losses today as He did for Job. In Jesus Name, Amen!
PASTOR FELIX OYANOGHAFO
lyxrox@yahoo.com