The Man from Uz

The Man from Uz

Job was a real, historical, flesh-and-blood man who many scholars feel walked the earth during the time of the patriarchs, somewhere between 2000 and 1800 BC. Scripture says he lived in the land of Uz—which may sound like Oz, but Uz was a real place in the world, not an imaginary land of munchkins and talking scarecrows. It was most likely east of the Jordan, perhaps in northern Arabia. Many scholars tell us that the book of Job may be the oldest book of the Bible, possibly written by Moses himself.

The New Testament writer James validates Job's story, and the great lesson it teaches about patience and faith:

We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord's plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy. (James 5:11 NLT)

Uz was a real place and Job was a real man with real problems with a real God to whom he turned—the very same God you and I can turn to in our times of need.

Let's set the stage for this amazing account by picking up an introduction from Job 1.

There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and he employed many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

Every year when Job's sons had birthdays, they invited their brothers and sisters to join them for a celebration. On these occasions they would get together to eat and drink. When these celebrations ended—and sometimes they lasted several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice. (Job 1:1-5 NLT)

So right off the bat, we learn some important things about the man named Job.

1. He was a man of integrity and character.

Character may be the most important thing in any individual's life. How do you determine character? Here's what it comes down to. When you are all alone, when no one is looking, when there's no one around to impress, what does your life look like? That is who you really are. The measure of a man or woman's real character is what they would do if they knew they would never be found out.

What if I could give you a foolproof guarantee that you could get away with a certain sin? Would you do it? Would you cheat on your income taxes? Would you be unfaithful to your spouse? If that is the case, then that is who you most truly are.

It really comes down to what you think about most. What saddens you? What makes you mad? What makes you laugh? That is your character. A German proverb says that "a man shows his character by what he laughs at."

Bottom line, Job practiced what he preached. He was a man of true integrity. God Himself said so, and no one could have a higher endorsement than that.

2. He was a wealthy man.

Success has turned many a head, and wealth has been a spiritual stumbling block to many. We are warned in Psalm 62:10, "If riches increase, do not set your heart on them" (NKJV).

Remember what Jesus said about wealth in the parable of the sower? He spoke of seed that was sown on the ground where it took root, but was eventually choked out by weeds. "The thorny ground," Jesus explained, "represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced" (Mark 4:18-19 NLT).

That is not to say it is wrong to desire success, a nice home, or a prosperous business. But it is wrong if you let it become the driving force in life. Don't let that become your obsession. Don't let that become your God. Because the Bible says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5 NIV).

Job had vast wealth and holdings, but it didn't turn his head.

3. He was a family man.

Job raised his children in the way of the Lord and brought them before God in prayer every day without fail.

So even when his adult kids were having a celebration, he would pray for them. He would offer a sacrifice on their behalf, which was an Old Testament way of saying he was interceding for them. Here was a dad who was concerned about the spiritual lives of his kids, and prayed every day that they would steer clear of sin and walk with God.

Our kids need our prayers—every day of their lives. Especially in the culture in which we live today. While it's true that we need to work toward releasing our sons and daughters, and launching them into independent, self-sufficient lives, we'll always be their parents, and they will always need Mom and Dad's faithful prayers.

Job was a concerned parent, bringing his family before the Lord, praying for their protection and blessing.

4. He was a prayerful man.

When Scripture says Job prayed for his adult children, it underlines the fact that "this was Job's regular custom." In other words, when it came to prayer, Job wasn't hit-or-miss. He had an established routine of coming before the Lord with his requests.

The Bible says that we should "pray without ceasing" and "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NKJV). Does that describe your life? Is God first in your list of priorities? Do you pray for your children? Do you set a godly example for them to follow? You've heard the expression, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." That is so often true when it comes to loving the Lord and following Him. Your sons and daughters will take their cues from watching how you relate to God, and the priority you give to your spiritual life.

Job set an outstanding example for his children. And as this story unfolds, we are given dramatic evidence as to why it's so vital to cover your family with prayer every day. In one of the most fascinating passages in all of Scripture, we are allowed to look behind the scenes and see what was happening in the spiritual realm that would directly effect Job's life, and every member of his family.