Portrait of the Steadfast Servant

Overview of the Book of Job

The central message is that God is in control of all aspects of our lives

God does not answer to us, and He doesn’t have to give a reason for His actions

The book is not about Job’s patience; it is about his trusting God even without understanding. it is about maintaining integrity

As comforters, sometimes the best thing we can do is just be present - the less said the better

All things being equal, God rewards the faithful and punishes the wicked. But God doesn’t settle all His accounts in this world

Our greatest calling in this life is to be known as a Servant of the LORD

A Servant of the LORD is steadfast in his trust of God (Job 42:7)

Explanation: God commends Job for speaking what is right concerning Him. The reader knows from verses 5&6 that Job has actually sinned against God by his self-righteousness, and his impatience. But, and this is extremely important, Job never gave up his faith and trust in God. Job definitely did not understand his suffering and the reasons for his loss, but he had faith that God would deliver him (cf ).

Job’s faith as a servant was commended by God at the first and last of his story. The LORD commended Job’s service to the accuser at the beginning of the book (), and the LORD commends Job’s status as a servant to his three friends at the end of the book (). Job maintained his understanding of God being the King, and that he was only a servant. Job was outspoken and impatience, but he was very much aware of the roles between him and God.

Argument: One of the weaknesses of the American church is the mindset of “what’s in it for me?” Too many church members want to know what the Church can offer them instead of asking how they can serve the Church. This way of thinking is the opposite of having a servant mind-set. We too often forget that Jesus declared that he “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” ().

Application: You can be faithful as a servant. Accept your role in God’s house and bloom where you’re planted. Accept that you don’t have to know the purpose of everything, and simply trust that God knows best.

A Servant of the LORD forgives those who oppose him ()

Explanation: God directly chastises Eliphaz and his two companions. God takes them to task for misrepresenting Him. God actually tells them that His “anger burns against you.” It is a serious thing to tell others you are are speaking for God and then get it wrong. (Ecc 5:1-2)

God commands these three to take seven bulls and seven rams to Job so that Job can perform a sacrifice on their behalf. God tells them that Job is going to pray for them, and then He, God, will accept that prayer on their behalf. The three take the animals to Job, and he performs the sacrifice. And God accepts the prayer of His servant Job.

Consider how difficult this must have been for Job: these are the three who have been accusing him of hidden sin and basically telling him his life has been a fake and that he is a hypocrite. Eliphaz specifically accused Job of withholding food from the hungry, robbing his own people, and abusing helpless widows (22:6-9) and Bildad told Job his children were sinners and got what they deserved (8:4) when the storm killed all 10 of them at one time.

Illustrate: Botham Jean was killed in his own apartment by Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer. Guyger was convicted, and after the sentencing, Botham’s brother Brandt asked to speak. As a Christian, he offered forgiveness to Guyger and gave her a hug.

Argument: Instead of holding a grudge, remaining bitter, or trying to stick it to his sorry comforters, Job allows God to deal with them. As a servant, Job does what he is told, and he prays for them with a spirit of forgiveness.

Application: A truth that is hard for us it that vengeance belongs to God (). It is not our place to right the wrongs and bring justice through our own efforts. When you allow bitterness, resentment, and hatred into your heart toward others, you yourself will be harmed. Forgiveness does not mean the other person has not sinned against you, it only means you are accepting God’s method of justice above your own. Again, here is where trust enters: do you trust God to handle the situation?

A Servant of the LORD will be rewarded ()

Explanation: As the account of Job’s life draws to a close, the reader witnesses his restoration by the Hand of God. The text states that “the LORD restored the fortunes of Job.” God had accomplished his purposes through allowing Job to suffer, so God healed him and restored his possessions.

Before looking at the specifics, it is important to remember the accuser’s challenge to God. The accuser had challenged God that the only reason a person like Job served Him was because of all the blessings. The accuser had stated that if God removed the blessings, Job would curse Him. God accepted the challenge and allowed the accuser to take away his possessions, his children and his health. As we have seen, Job maintained his integrity, clung to his faith in the LORD, and did not curse God.

God’s policies of judgment and blessing were on trial, and Job was the test case. Job had endured the most extreme situation, yet remained faithful, thereby becoming an encouragement to all who suffer. The steadfast faith of Job proves that a believer can remain faithful through the storms of life.

Once God’s policies were vindicated through Job’s faithfulness, there was no longer any purpose in allowing Job to suffer. God ended his suffering and restored his prosperity. A comparison between Chapter one and Chapter 42 demonstrate that God doubled all of Job’s possessions in the area of sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys. The principle of doubling also held true with the additional 10 children Job received (42:13). The second ten were additional, not replacements (unlike a camel, a child cannot simply be replaced). Most commentators believe Job ended up with 20 children because he would see the first 10 in heaven.

Argument: Some believers think this is not a good ending to the book. They think that God’s restoring all this to Job simply follows the accusers logic: people won’t serve God unless He blesses them. That misses the point because Job had already proved that he would continue to serve without the blessings. God is simply showing grace to Job. It is important to realize that Job did not receive these blessings because of his suffering. God was not obligated to do anything for Job; God chose to bless Job with these things. [if it can be demanded, it is not grace!]

Application: You can trust the God of the Earth to do that which is right (). Paul declares that believers will receive rewards in heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ () for their service done in the Name of Christ. Jesus also taught about future rewards in some of his parables. In the parable of the talents (), Jesus said to the fruitful servant, “well done, good and faithful servant” (). Do you long to hear Jesus say these words to you upon gaining heaven? You CAN hear them! It is possible to be a faithful servant, and that is the desire of Jesus for us!