Day 123 – Job: Character sketch of Job

“Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.” Job 42:6-17 NLT

God is always searching for men who will be men for Him. The Bible confirms this truth. Job was a man of notable position and authority in the walled city of Uz in northeast Arabia, probably near Ur of the Chaldees from which Abram was called. The first chapter of this man’s biography reveals him to be a man after God’s own heart and a man of great principle. 

Strengths and accomplishments

Job was not sinless, but blameless in the sense that when people looked at his life as a whole, they saw a man of godly character. He had an impeccable reputation among God-fearing people and unbelievers. Job’s behaviour remained within the boundaries of God’s revealed will and commands. He walked a straight path. All his business dealings were above board. He was an honest man who could be trusted. He was dependable, ethical, and could never be rightly accused of cheating anyone. His life was characterised by sincerity and a relentless pursuit of perfection. He did what was right even when it was personally painful. All in all, his walk matched his talk.

Life lessons from Job’s life

Job turned from sin; he shunned evil. The word used here means to keep away from, to be cautious. Job was cautious because he was afraid to sin. He knew the power of sinful flesh and kept away from those things which would cause him to be tempted or make it easier for him to sin. The New Testament calls us to have this same quality: “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22). To turn away from something means you are at the same time turning toward something else. To turn away from sin means to turn toward God in obedience.

Prayer: Father, I pray that we take the character qualities of Job to heart and learn from the strengths, not just when facing struggles, but in our everyday lives. It is all too easy to sit and sulk and blame others (or You) for what we are going through, but may we, through faith and grace, grow closer to You through these challenges. Amen.