The book of Job opens by stating, “There as 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” (Job 1:1). Four sterling characteristics are mentioned concerning Job. He was perfect, upright, feared God, and eschewed evil. Job was a man whom God recommended as an example of a faithful servant (Job 1:8-2:3). Let’s notice the four characteristics that made Job a man recommended by God.

First, Job was described as a perfect man. The word “perfect” does not mean that Job did not sin. It simply means that Job was a complete man. He was mature spiritually. Within the context of the book, Job admitted that He had sinned (Job 14:16). Job was perfect in the same sense that other great patriarchs were perfect,” (Genesis 6:9; 17:1). For example, it is said of Noah that he was “a just man and perfect in his generations” (Genesis 6:9). Yet, we know that Noah was not sinlessly perfect. On one occasion we have the record of how he became drunk (Genesis 10:20-21). Likewise, today, God does not expect us to be sinlessly perfect (1 John 1:7-9;2:1-2). Yet, He still wants us to grow into mature servants. He wants us to “grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior” (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15).

Second, Job was described as a man that was upright. The root meaning of the word “upright” is “straight.” The idea conveyed is that Job did not deviate from the paths of righteousness. Job was careful to do as the Lord had commanded him and not to “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32;17:11). He wanted to walk in the way that God had selected (Jeremiah 6:16). He realized that those who follow the paths of unrighteousness “go to nothing, and perish” (Job 6:18). Sadly, the friends of Job did not address Job as an upright man (Job 8:6). Job came to understand that sometimes “the just upright man is laughed to scorn “(Job 12:4). Yet, Job continued to be upright in the sight of God. Today, God wants us to walk in the strait and narrow way “which leadeth unto life” (Matthew 7:13-14). We must remember that, as in the case of Job, God “saveth the upright in heart” (Psalm 7:10) and that the “end of that man is peace” (Psalm 37:37).

Third, Job was described as a man that feared God. Job walked before God with reverence and awe. Job said, “Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). He understood the need for fearing God. Job feared God because of His great power, wisdom, and love. We must learn that if we want to be servants that please God, we must fear Him.

Paul wrote, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28; Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Fourth, Job was described as one that eschewed evil. The word “eschewed” has reference to that fact that Job turned from evil. Job was a man that avoided the evil lusts of his day. He had avoided both vanity and deceit (Job 31:5). He had not followed the lust of his own eyes or lusted after another woman (Job 31:6-11). Job had pondered the path of his feet and avoided the pathway of sin. He had removed his “foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27). As servants of God today, we must also eschew evil (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Peter wrote, “for he that would love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11).

Job was a man whom God recommended. To the devil, God said, “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?” (Job 1:8). Job was a shining example of what it means to be a servant of God. May we strive to imitate this man that God recommended.

Copied from The Messenger,
South Florida Avenue Church of Christ

“One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes these to put in the place of the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things here on earth. He doesn’t make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn’t have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that up to the mothers and fathers. I think it works out pretty good.”

“God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, cause some people, like preachers and things, pray other times besides bedtime, and Grandpa and Grandma Dutton pray every time they eat (except for snacks). God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV on account of this. Cause God hears everything, not only prayers, there must be a terrible lot of noise going on in his ears unless he has thought of a way to turn it off. I think we should all be a little quieter. God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere. Which keeps him pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting his time asking for things that aren’t very important or go over your parents’ heads and ask for something they said you couldn’t have.” — Copied

The power of a prayer cannot be measured,
‘Tis just a feeling to be treasured,
It’s power shows in many ways
As we offer God our heartful praise.
A prayer is a thought deep inside,
A plea to God, our paths to guide.
We pray that He will always be there,
For all His children, everywhere.
The power of a prayer, though not in sight,
Is there through day and dark of night,
It gives one strength where there was none,
To prove God’s work is never done.
At times, dear Lord, I would ask of Thee
To grant to me one special plea,
To free me from my dark despair
Through the mighty power of a prayer.
God listens to every race and creed,
Ready to help all those in need,
He will give to all His blessings rare,
Through just the power of a prayer.

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