Character of Job

Job is introduced in the Bible as a man of exceptional character and integrity. The Book of Job, one of the wisdom books of the Old Testament, begins by describing Job as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1). This description sets the stage for understanding Job as a man who is deeply committed to living a life that honors God. His fear of God is not merely a superficial reverence but a profound respect and awe that influences his actions and decisions.

Job's righteousness is further emphasized by his role as a spiritual leader in his family. He regularly offers burnt offerings on behalf of his children, saying, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5). This practice indicates Job's concern for the spiritual well-being of his family and his desire to intercede for them before God.

Throughout the narrative, Job's character is tested through immense suffering and loss. Despite his trials, Job's initial response is one of worship and submission to God's sovereignty: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Even when his wife suggests that he curse God and die, Job maintains his integrity, rebuking her and affirming his acceptance of both good and adversity from God (Job 2:10).

Job's friends, who come to comfort him, challenge his integrity by suggesting that his suffering must be a result of hidden sin. However, Job consistently defends his righteousness, maintaining that he has lived a life of integrity and has not turned away from God's commandments (Job 27:5-6).

Wealth of Job

Job's wealth is described in the opening verses of the book, painting a picture of a man who is not only spiritually rich but also materially prosperous. He is said to be "the greatest man of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3), a testament to his significant social and economic standing.

Job's wealth is detailed in terms of his livestock and household. He possesses "seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very large number of servants" (Job 1:3). This extensive inventory of livestock indicates not only Job's material wealth but also his status as a prominent and influential figure in his community.

The narrative of Job's life takes a dramatic turn when he loses all his wealth in a series of calamities orchestrated by Satan, with God's permission, to test Job's faithfulness. Despite the loss of his possessions, Job's response is one of humility and continued reverence for God, as he acknowledges God's ultimate authority over all things.

In the final chapters of the book, after Job's faithfulness is proven, God restores his fortunes, giving him "twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). This restoration includes a doubling of his livestock and the blessing of new children, symbolizing God's favor and the reward for Job's steadfastness.

Job's wealth, both before and after his trials, serves as a backdrop to the central themes of the book: the testing of faith, the mystery of suffering, and the sovereignty of God. His account illustrates that true wealth is not merely measured by material possessions but by one's relationship with God and the integrity of one's character.