An Outstanding Man
Doubtless you have heard of the patience of Job. Where did he get it? God is the source. Job was like the rest of us—a frail, stumbling, sinful creature, but he knew how to lean on God.
Job is a living example of God’s matchless care and provision for His saints. Who is without trials or hardships? Our circumstances may differ from Job’s, but the sorrow and anxiety are the same. But more than this, the Lord is the same. As He undertook so overwhelmingly for Job, we may trust Him to do the same thing for us. It is for this reason that we can trust Him for every-thing, knowing that He does not fail. This is not only a requisite for happiness, but a grand privilege for all who know the Lord. Therefore, let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1).
Job is probably the oldest biblical book in the world. It is believed to have been put into writing by Moses. Though we are not quite certain as to the time the events of the book transpired, many think that it was during Abraham’s day. Doubtless, it was no later, for there is no mention of Israel, the tabernacle, the temple, the law, or anything that would suggest a later date. The theme of the book is the child of God facing trials. The Lord uses Job as an object lesson of suffering for the people of God of every generation. It is for this reason that true believers find Job to be an extremely practical and helpful book, filled with encouragement for the suffering and sorrowful saint. It should be noted also that Job was a real person, not a myth as some have claimed. In Ezekiel 14, Job is mentioned twice by the Lord Jehovah, along with Noah and Daniel. It is taken for granted in these passages that he was a living being.
In the first chapter of Job, we notice four things relative to the character of God’s servant: his integrity, his wealth, his wisdom, and his protection. Job’s integrity is portrayed in Job 1:1 and Job 1:8. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And the LORD said unto 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? From these verses, we see that Job was all that a human could be in respect to holiness and character. He was morally upright, fearing God, and abstaining from evil. In Psalm 4:4 God says, Stand in awe, and sin not. Job obeyed this implicitly. He reverenced God with a holy fear and sought to walk in the way of the Lord, abstaining from evil. The word perfect as it is used here does not mean sinless, but rather that Job was a man of integrity. Job is a type of the believer who has been born again by the Spirit of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ. No believer possesses any holiness of his own. It is the gift of God. In Romans 13:14 we read, Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. It is Christ who enables us to overcome the lusts of the flesh and to walk well pleasing before God.
In verse 3, we read of Job’s wealth. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. It appears that Job was the wealthiest man living in his day. Not always is it the case that holy men are rich. God provided a premium for Job. And it may be, as we have seen so often in the Old Testament, that he was rewarded with material things for his obedient and holy life. God does not permit all of his children to become rich. Not all of us know how to handle wealth. I believe it is for this reason that God keeps many of us poor. Riches can often be a stumbling block to one’s growth in grace. We are warned in Psalm 62:10, If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
Notice, too, Job’s wisdom in verse 5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. I see three things here. First, Job recognized the power of sin. Second, he had a spiritual concern for his children. And third, he was regular in his worship. All of us need to recognize the power of sin as Job did. He was fearful that there was sin in the lives of his sons. He knew well the sorrowful results of sin. God says, in Proverbs 4:19, The way of the wicked is as darkness. Job did not want his children walking in darkness. He had a spiritual concern for them. He interceded for them. He prayed that they might walk with the Lord.
I don’t think there is any worse offense a parent can commit before his children than to set an unholy example. God pronounces judgment on such parents. If you know the Lord, you have an obligation before God to rear your children in the way of the Lord. Job was a good example because he was a man who gave due attention to God before his children. Not only that, he interceded continually for them. The word continually means that Job’s worship was not spasmodic—up and down—today and not tomorrow. Daily he interceded and offered burnt offerings for his children. He was so concerned that they walk in the way of the Lord, that he prayed and offered sacrifices daily for them.
Now, we see one more thing about God’s servant: his protection (Job 1:9,10). Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Consider three circles of defense. God put a hedge around Job personally, around his family, and around all his possessions. Because of this, we can say whatever came into the life of Job came only by God’s will. Realize that as God protected Job, He will protect you today. You cannot see the protection, but God has set a hedge about you. Do you have fears? Are you unhappy? Remind yourself of the great God you possess in Christ. If you have taken Christ into your heart and life, you have nothing to fear. Absolutely nothing! God is there. And it is your responsibility to trust Him and believe Him for all things. If you don’t know Him, I urge you to turn to Christ, and say, “Jesus, I need to be saved. Come into my life and save me today; and by His grace and Your strength, I will follow You and do Your will.” God will answer your prayer.
J. Allen Blair
Job's Character : Integrity - Wealth - Wisdom - Protection
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HAS GOD FORSAKEN YOU?
“Have you ever felt lonely and forsaken? You prayed and prayed, and yet, it seemed like God had forgotten you. Your troubles pressed sore upon you as the cares of life got heavier and heavier. You felt like you would...”
This quote is from Dr. Blair's tract: Has God Forsaken You?
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