Perhaps more than any other character in the Bible, Job stands out as an example of patience during suffering. Job was a righteous and godly man, and his story was written in the Scriptures to teach us and to encourage us. It has been my joy to study the book of Job during my morning devotions. Also, our pastor has been preaching a number of messages on Job. These messages have been very encouraging. You can download them, or simply listen to them if you like, under the "sermons" section of our church's website.
Have You Considered God’s Servant Job?
Introduction
Job was a man who feared and trusted God. He allowed God to create in him an upright and consistent character. In Job chapter one, God describes Job’s character and Job’s greatness.
His Walk with God
Job was perfect. He was not sinless, but he was pure and kept short accounts with God. There was no unconfessed sin in His life. He was upright, and he feared God. Job also eschewed evil. That is, he stayed as far away from sin as he possibly could. He did not look at sin that others were doing, fellowship with ungodly men, or hang around places where wicked things were going on. With the Lord’s help, he kept himself from adultery and remained faithful to his wife. Job was able to remain morally pure and true to his wife because he had made a covenant with his eyes that he would not look upon a maid. (See Job 31:1)
His Substance
The Lord described Job as “the greatest of all the men of the east.” (1:3) He had ten children -- seven sons and three daughters. Also, he had a very great household. Perhaps this means that he had many servants and hired hands. Job needed these workers to help him care for his property. The Lord had blessed him with seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen (or a thousand oxen), and five hundred she asses. It took much work and responsibility to care for all these animals.
Though Job had all these possessions, he was not selfish with them. He gave to the poor and refreshed the widows; he helped the blind and the lame and was compassionate to the fatherless. Job was faithful to God with his substance. (See Job 29:12-16)
His Position
As was mentioned earlier, Job was “the greatest of all the men of the east.” Chapter one describes how Job was blessed and commended by God. Chapter twenty seven describes how Job was admired and respected by men.
While Job was yet in his youth, he held a prominent position. He would walk through the city to the gate where he prepared his seat. Usually the elders of the city were the ones who sat in the gates. However, because Job walked faithfully in the fear of the Lord, he had God’s wisdom in all that he did. He walked wisely, and his ability to make right decisions brought him much respect.
As Job walked through the city, the young men would turn away and not look at him because they respected him as a great man. The aged men arose and stood up when he went by. Even the princes and the nobles would not speak when Job was in the gate because they knew that his counsel was wise and right. Also, they knew that he cared about others and did what was just and good for them. When Job spoke, they all listened and blessed him and gave him respect. (See Job 29:4-11)
His Family
Because Job was a righteous man and feared God, he was concerned about his family. Each of Job’s sons had a feast in his own house and on his own day. They invited their three sisters to come eat and drink with them. When they began these days of feasting, Job sent and sanctified them and offered burnt offerings for each of them. He did not do this “when he got around to it.” Rather, he got up early in the morning to do it. He made the spiritual welfare of his children top priority. Job was concerned and said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” This concern did not only last a short time. Job faithfully took the time to tend to his children’s spiritual needs on a regular basis. “Thus did Job continually.” (1:2,4,5)