Which people come to your mind as exemplars of moral character in the Old Testament? Many people think of Joseph and Daniel as they held fast to God and obeyed His commandments in the face of temptation and moral compromise. God made specific mention of Job as an example of  moral rectitude:

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”  (Job 1:8)

God enumerated four characteristics describing Job’s walk with God. First, we read that Job was blameless, not in the sense of being sinless, but in the sense of being devoted to God and keeping His commandments. The fundamental idea of the word blameless is being complete. This word comes from the same root word as the Hebrew word for integrity. Integrity was a hallmark of Job’s character as he affirmed his integrity:

Far be it from me that I should declare you right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. (Job 27:5)

Next, we see that Job was upright. This is the idea of being straight and was used to describe a road that was straight and level. It referred to a person who was morally upright. Thirdly, Job feared God. He was committed to living in a way that was pleasing to God.

Finally, his healthy fear of God led him to turn away from evil. The person who fears God will be inclined to eschew any form of evil. Even with Job’s great losses, he remained steadfast in his character:

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” (Job 2:3)

Job realized that when God is all you have, then God is all you need. Although Job was blameless, he could still grow through his trials. Trials have a way of deepening our faith and dependence upon God. You may be experiencing a significant challenge, but God knows your situation. Job revealed his fresh insight of God at the end of the book:

I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

We must realize that even though Job never knew the reason for his suffering, he persevered in the midst of his trails. May we see God afresh as we follow the Apostle James’ advice and entrust our souls to a faithful God:

You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. (James 5:11)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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