Character Study Of Job Series

CHARACTER STUDY OF JOB – A RIGHTEOUS MAN TESTED BY SATAN

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Job 1:1

"There was 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."

Supporting Texts:

Job 1-42, James 5:11, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 5:10

INTRODUCTION

Job is one of the most remarkable figures in the Bible, known for his righteousness, patience, and endurance in the face of extreme suffering. He lived in the land of Uz and was described as blameless, upright, fearing God, and shunning evil (Job 1:1).

His life took a dramatic turn when Satan challenged his faithfulness to God. Job lost his wealth, children, and health, yet he did not curse God. His story explores the themes of human suffering, divine sovereignty, and the reward of faithfulness.

Through Job’s trials, we learn that righteous people may suffer, but God remains in control and ultimately restores those who trust Him.

1. JOB'S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PROSPERITY

a) Job was a man of integrity (Job 1:1)

He was known for his godliness and uprightness.

b) He was blessed with great wealth (Job 1:2-3)

He owned large flocks and had many servants.

c) Job was a devoted family man (Job 1:4-5)

He regularly prayed and offered sacrifices for his children.

d) His prosperity was a result of his faithfulness (Job 29:2-6)

He acknowledged God as the source of his blessings.

e) Biblical Example: Abraham was also a wealthy man who feared God (Genesis 13:2).

2. SATAN’S ATTACK ON JOB’S LIFE

a) Satan accused Job before God (Job 1:6-11)

He claimed Job served God only because of his blessings.

b) God permitted Satan to test Job (Job 1:12)

Satan was allowed to take everything except his life.

c) Job lost all his possessions and children (Job 1:13-19)

In a single day, he was stripped of everything.

d) Job worshipped God despite his losses (Job 1:20-22)

He declared, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

e) Biblical Example: Joseph also suffered unjustly but remained faithful (Genesis 39:20-21).

3. JOB’S PHYSICAL SUFFERING AND WIFE’S REACTION

a) Satan attacked Job’s health (Job 2:7)

He was afflicted with painful boils from head to toe.

b) Job endured intense suffering (Job 2:8)

He sat in ashes and scraped himself with a broken piece of pottery.

c) Job’s wife urged him to curse God and die (Job 2:9)

She lost faith and encouraged him to give up.

d) Job refused to sin against God (Job 2:10)

He rebuked his wife and accepted God’s will.

e) Biblical Example: Paul also suffered physical afflictions for God’s glory (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

4. JOB’S FRIENDS AND THEIR ACCUSATIONS

a) Job’s three friends came to comfort him (Job 2:11)

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar sat with him in silence for seven days.

b) They wrongly assumed Job had sinned (Job 4:7-8)

They believed his suffering was a punishment from God.

c) Job defended his innocence (Job 6:29)

He insisted that he had done no wrong.

d) A fourth friend, Elihu, offered a different perspective (Job 32:2-3)

He suggested that Job should humble himself before God.

e) Biblical Example: Jesus’ disciples also wrongly assumed suffering was due to sin (John 9:1-3).

5. JOB’S CONVERSATION WITH GOD

a) Job questioned God about his suffering (Job 10:8-9)

He struggled to understand why he was suffering.

b) God answered Job from a whirlwind (Job 38:1)

He revealed His supreme power and wisdom.

c) Job realised his smallness before God (Job 42:1-3)

He humbled himself and repented for questioning God’s justice.

d) God rebuked Job’s friends (Job 42:7)

They had misrepresented God’s ways.

e) Biblical Example: Isaiah also realised his unworthiness before God (Isaiah 6:5).

6. JOB’S RESTORATION AND BLESSINGS

a) Job prayed for his friends (Job 42:10)

God required him to intercede for them before restoring him.

b) God blessed Job with double of everything (Job 42:12)

He received twice as much wealth as before.

c) Job was given new children (Job 42:13-15)

He had seven sons and three beautiful daughters.

d) Job lived a long and prosperous life (Job 42:16-17)

He died old and full of days.

e) Biblical Example: God restored Joseph’s life after his suffering (Genesis 41:39-41).

7. LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JOB

a) Righteous people may suffer (Job 1:8-12)

God’s people are not exempt from trials.

b) God is sovereign over all things (Job 42:2)

He allows trials for His divine purpose.

c) True faith is tested in adversity (Job 13:15)

Job’s faith remained strong despite his suffering.

d) We must trust God even when we don’t understand (Job 19:25)

Job declared, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”

e) Biblical Example: The early Christians also endured suffering for their faith (1 Peter 4:12-13).