Job 1:1 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters | Metropolitan Tabernacle

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Job 1:1

Comments

The first chapter introduces Job as a literal, historical figure (confirmed by references in Ezekiel 14.14-20 and James 5.11). The book is not an allegory as some have supposed. The name ‘Job’ means ‘hated’ or ‘persecuted’ or ‘oppressed’, which of course Job was, but not by God. He was oppressed by the enemy of souls and by his friends. The Bible treats him as a historical and real person along with Noah and Daniel (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; James 5:11), but his genealogy is not given and so his connection with other Bible characters is unknown.His character is described as perfect – not perfect in the sense that he had reached a state beyond which he could not improve, nor that he was no longer capable of sin – the word means complete, or spiritually sound and alive. This is the testimony of Scripture about him, not simply of men. The same cannot be said about the unconverted – they are not whole; they are just flesh and blood, mind and body. Job was whole and wholesome, not a mixture of good and evil. Men knew they could trust him; he was respected for his character among those he traded with. He knew and loved God. He was sincere before God and had experienced in a full evangelical sense a spiritual new birth. (See Job 1.1-8; Ezekiel 14.14-20; James 5.11). He feared God; he had an inner conscience which was at work. Sometimes believers will live a double life, only doing what is right when others are present. But Job knew that God watched him. He separated from evil; there was no compromise in him; Job is identified in this challenging way.As already indicated he was bound to be an offence to religious friends who were nevertheless unregenerate and standing in their own righteousness. (This opening information about the patriarch’s spiritual stature makes it unsatisfactory to expound the book as though Job found grace only at the end.)He is also said to be upright, the Hebrew which means righteous, just, straight as opposed to crooked. The clear commendation of Job’s spiritual integrity in this first chapter declares him not guilty of the various sins with which his comforters later charge him, and not guilty of hypocrisy. He ‘eschewed’ or avoided evil and lived a culturally separated life (as too few believers do today).

Application

The Lord loves those who strive for integrity within, who struggle against inner deceit. This is a description of Job’s heart, that inward part where God looks for truth, for here is the test of the real man: what will he do in secret? If the inside is good, then the outside will be good also.

Questions

The old date for the events of Job (around 2000 BC) has been well argued for centuries. Job’s lifespan is ‘patriarchal’ (Job 42:16); his wealth is calculated by livestock (the method of that period); some Hebrew words are used which were only used in such early times; several names of people and places are the same as names from Abrahamic times; there is no mention of the priesthood, the law, the Exodus, the Tabernacle or other things which presumably came later; some of the musical instruments are patriarchal; the Sabeans and Chaldeans are seen as nomadic, whereas they became settled people soon after the patriarchal period. These are just some of the arguments for the early date of Job.

Job was from the land of Uz. Some associated this with Aram (Genesis 10:23), and others with Edom (Lamentations 4:21), a region south of the Dead Sea. A further clue to its location comes from the neighbouring attacks launched on Job’s estate – the Sabeans (probably from South Arabia), and the Chaldeans (to the east).

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Job 1:1 Commentary and Bible Study