“There Was A Man From The Land Of Uz …”
Feature 1 – October 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine
There Was A Man In The Land Of Uz, Whose Name Was Job
Job, the man spoken about in our title (Job 1:1 NKJV ), was a real person; he isn’t a fictional character. Other portions of Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, give evidence of this fact:
Ezekiel 14:14 – “‘Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,’ says the Lord GOD.”Ezekiel 14:20 – “‘Even though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.’”James 5:11 – “You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
Job lived before the law and was probably a contemporary of Abraham. The use of the name “Almighty” occurs 31 times in the book, more than in the rest of the Bible combined. It is the same name God used when He appeared to Abraham: “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Gen. 17:1).
What do we know about Job’s personal life? He was a man of outstanding moral character, one who was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). God had blessed him with seven sons and three daughters, and with great material possessions so that he became the “greatest of all the people of the East” (v.3). He habitually rose early in the morning to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on behalf of each of his children as they gathered socially to eat and drink, for he said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts” (v.5). He was a good father who interceded for his children. This is an example for us parents to constantly bring our children, and grandchildren too, before the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16).
Job The Sufferer
The book of Job is primarily one of suffering, which is the common lot of all mankind. Peter reminded Jewish Christians, “The same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:9). We notice from Scripture that suffering is a significant part of the ways of God toward His people – past, present and future. Referring to the past, James said, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (Jas. 5:10–11). In relation to the present, Paul wrote: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). Referencing the future, the Lord Jesus told His disciples, “There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake … Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Mt. 24:7-9,21).
The book of Job has a tragic beginning but a happy ending. God sets a limit on what He allows in the lives of His saints and even Satan must submit to His authority. This book, therefore, brings out the sovereignty as well as the government of God in this world of sin and suffering, especially in favor of His own. We also realize in this book the extent of Satan’s malice toward the people of God. It is here that God draws aside the curtain to give us a glimpse of Satan’s activities and his hostility toward Job.
Satan had his sights on Job, and God permitted Satan to afflict Job (Job 1:12). This begs the question: Does God take pleasure in our pain? Was He simply taking up Satan’s challenge at the expense of Job’s happiness and well-being? If the answer to these questions were “Yes,” what a blemish it would be on the stainless character of our God. We are told, “His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel” (Jud. 10:16 JND) and, “in all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isa. 63:9).
The answer, on the contrary, is that God is sensitive to our pain, and suffering. Satan had said to God about Job: “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will certainly curse You to Your face!” (Job 1:10-11 NKJV). God then gave Satan permission to afflict Job.
The troubles for Job began to quickly pile up and enlarge. He was placed in a crucible of suffering. First, the Sabeans raided his oxen and donkeys and killed his servants (vv.14-15). Job had no time to digest this news before another messenger told him, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them” (v.16). Before the messenger had finished speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword” (v.17). “While he was still speaking, another also came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead’” (vv.18-19). The powers of evil had been suddenly let loose against Job.
Satan, however, was wrong when he said to God that if He removed the hedge He had placed around Job, he would curse Him to His face (vv.9-11). Instead, Job’s response defied mere human logic. “Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’ In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (vv.20-22). Thus, God proved that a saint of God in the lowest depth of sorrow and mental distress is still able to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (13:15). This is distress-defying faith!
The people of this world often blame God for their misfortunes, beginning with the first man Adam. Whom did he blame for his sin? “The woman whom You gave to be with me …” (Gen. 3:12). But Job’s response was remarkable as well as touching. He gave visible expression to his grief when he “tore his robe, and shaved his head.” Then, “he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20). His lowest depth of grief drew out the highest expression of worship from his lips. Notice further that Job acknowledged the sovereignty of God in what had befallen him. He said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away” (v.21). Our sufferings are much more bearable when we acknowledge the hand of our loving God and Father. David, in his trouble and distress, did the same: “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Ps. 119:75).
Why Do We Suffer?
Since there was no recorded suffering preceding the fall of Adam, we may safely conclude that suffering is the direct result of sin. In order to undo sin’s consequences – separation from God, sickness, suffering and death – the Lord Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). He was sinless, but He suffered “for sins” – our sins. His death is the foundation for the complete removal of sin and its effects.
Did He also suffer during the years He passed through this world to the cross? Listen to the testimony of Peter as he spoke about Christ: “Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (2:23). Isaiah declared, “He is despised, and rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). Yes, “A Pilgrim through this lonely world the blessed Savior passed; a mourner through His life was He, the dying Lamb at last” (Sir Edward Denny, 1796–1889). Since suffering is a part of this fallen creation, when God permits us to suffer He has an end or objective in view.
How God Uses Suffering
James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jas. 1:2-4). Likewise, Paul wrote: “We … glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3-4).
Job learned patience, or endurance, through his sufferings, and in the end the LORD doubled his blessings. Having thought too highly of himself, Job had been brought to the place where he confessed to the LORD, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).
Suffering tests the genuineness of our faith and strengthens it. Accordingly, Peter wrote: “Though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Job’s faith was authentic, for though he cursed his day, he did not curse his God (Job 3:1-3).
Suffering also purifies us by removing the dross, or impurities, from our lives. Job said, “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (23:10). Peter elaborated, “May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10). We may attempt to extricate ourselves from our sufferings, for no one likes to suffer, but we would only forfeit the end that God has in mind. He desires to infuse in us the moral features of the Lord Jesus, which bring pleasure to His heart.
God permitted Joseph to suffer in order that his sufferings would result in a life of fruitfulness and service to his brethren and to Egypt. God also uses suffering to bring us back from a path of disobedience to the way of obedience. The psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Ps. 119:67).
Encouragement In Suffering
Sadly, Job’s mental anguish and pain were intensified by the judgment made by his three friends, from whom he had hoped for words of comfort and solace. Instead, they accused him of gross sins, which they said had caught up with him. He sought pity from them: “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend” (Job 6:14). Later he pleaded, “Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has struck me!” (19:21). But all he was given were harsh, cruel words from his “miserable comforters” (16: 2).
The comfort God gives is much different. He wants to use those who have experienced His comfort in suffering to comfort those who are suffering. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” In our sufferings let us first of all recognize the hand of our loving Father, who will “never cause His child a needless tear” (William Freeman Lloyd, 1791–1853). Secondly, “let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Pet. 4:19). Thirdly, James wrote: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (Jas. 5:13). Fourthly, rely on God’s word: “My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word” (Ps. 119:81). Furthermore, the writer added: “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction” (vv.49-50). God is faithful to His Word; and it can be fully trusted, for He is as good as His Word.
To my companions in suffering and tribulation, let us trust in the unchanging love and faithfulness of our God. He said, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). Finally, remember, that the Lord is, indeed, “very compassionate and merciful” (Jas. 5:11). Our sufferings are only for a time, for “weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). Job is proof.
By Richard Barnett
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed. —Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJVI will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. —Psalm 4:8Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore;
you are of more value than many sparrows. —Matthew 10:29-31