A Portrait of a Holy Man

Text Job 1:1-2:10 Time 30/04/00 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church

I was reading recently about the John Hall pre-university. It offers a course in understanding art starting with a week in London, followed by 6 weeks in Venice. The introductory week in London involves lectures at the National Gallery. Between lectures students can wander among fine examples of Italian art in the Gallery and are given advice about how to appreciate a painting. There is also a lecture course on ‘How to look at a painting’. Sounds fascinating to me. Now I’m not sure exactly how one ought to look at a painting but I’ve a good idea and I’m sure some of you do too. What I want to do this morning is to look at a portrait – it’s not done in oils or water colours but is a word picture, painted by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and held before us for our instruction. It stands at the head of the Book of Job. If you think of the rest of the book as a long series of lectures and discussions about art, here at the beginning we have the painting itself, the portrait, if you like, that they discuss.
Ezekiel spoke of Job as (along with Noah and Daniel) one of the most righteous men who ever lived. Here in Job 1:8 God asks a question Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. The question is repeated in Job 2:3. It is put on both occasions to the fallen angel Satan. But what if it was put to you? Have you considered my servant Job? We ought to be able to say ‘yes’ to that question. We ought to consider Job. Here at the start of the book we have a simple but lifelike portrait of this man who lived so long ago given by God. Let’s look at it together and see what we can learn.
1. Notice certain things in general
1. Notice the general features

I’m sure that when we look at a portrait the first thing is to take it in as a whole and notice the general features. The opening verse is brief and to the point. It is a summary statement and says something in general about this man. In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. These are the same words that God himself uses. In this portrait we see, as it were, a man with a pure complexion; one upright in his bearing and yet with his head slightly bowed, his eyes down and his body turned to the right, his back showing. Here it is then in summary form.

Job:
1 Was a blameless man That is he was ‘without moral blemish’ morally wholesome. He was not a perfect man but he was approaching it. He had integrity – a rare thing in these days.
2 Was upright He was straight, as straight as a die. He was like a wall built true to plumb. He did not deviate from God’s requirements in any significant way. He was righteous and honest.
3 Feared God This is where true wisdom begins. In the New Testament we learn that Jesus Christ is himself wisdom from God. Through Christ Job had gained the wisdom that begins with the fear of God. He was aware of God and of his majesty and it dictated every facet of his life. He lived in reverence and submission to God. He was in awe of him. He was very careful how he spoke to God and about God.
4 Shunned evil This is the negative side of the last point. Job turned his back on all evil, hating and rejecting anything that was not pleasing to God. It is hard work to keep a garden weed free but some do it. Job was the same with his sins.
Such traits are seen perfectly in the Lord Jesus himself but here we see in Job a truly holy man. Are we anything like it? Are we at least endeavouring to be like this by the grace of Christ?
2. Notice the things that are not there that we might expect

Next let’s say something about what we do not see in this painting. There is certainly no family tree in the corner or heraldic arms as in some paintings. Job is not alone either; his family are also in the picture. You notice too how richly dressed he is. We see in the background the many animals and goods he owns. This is no obscure man either but one who is clearly important and well known.

There is no:
1 Significant pedigree and background

We don’t know exactly where Uz was but it seems to have been somewhere east of Canaan, probably either in Edom or North Arabia. Job was certainly a Gentile not a Jew. Exactly when his story was written up and accepted into the canon of Scripture we do not know but his story is probably ancient and from the time before Abraham. Job is one of several Old Testament believers who were not Jews. They stand as reminders that merely being a Jew saves no-one. Similarly, merely having the name Christian can do no good. The fact that your parents or brothers or friends are Christians won’t save you. On the other hand, the fact you have no Christian background does not stop you becoming a Christian either. Here is Job, one of the greatest of the Old Testament saints and yet he is not in the Abrahamic line.
2 Celibacy

In many religions there is an idea that a godly life must be a celibate life, even the life of a hermit. The responsibilities of a wife or husband and of children make holiness impossible, it is argued. Certainly we must be realistic about the demands that family life put on us but the idea that we cannot be holy unless we are celibate is quite wrong. Too often we make other people the excuse for our own lack of holiness. We cannot hide behind such excuses. Job was both a family man and a holy man. He had seven sons and three daughters – symbolically complete numbers - but he was upright too. Marriage is the Scripture norm.
3 Poverty

Another common vow for monks is one of poverty. The idea is that possessions are the problem – they distract and hold us back from holiness. Now certainly the Bible warns us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil and urges us to seek treasure in heaven. However, it would be wrong to suppose that wealth and holiness are inimical. It is a tempting thought in our affluent society to suppose that our own lack of holiness is simply due to this. If we were a little poorer, if we lived in the third world we would be holy. Yet here we are told that this holy man Job owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys, and had a large number of servants. I suppose the equivalent today would be a vast amount of clothing, food, machines, servants, etc. There is no suggestion that he did anything dishonest to gain or keep his wealth. There are enough examples of rich but holy people in Scripture – Abraham and Joseph come readily to mind. Attitude is so important. Wesley was about right when he said ‘Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can’.
4 Obscurity

One other thing here. We are told that Job was the greatest man among all the people of the East. later on in Chapter 29 verse 25 he says I … sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops. Everybody in that part of the world either knew Job or knew about him. He was famous, a great man, well respected for his holiness. The number of truly godly men and women in the public eye today is frighteningly small. Perhaps it was so in Job’s day too. However, there is no reason to suppose that being in the public eye makes holiness impossible.
2. Consider it from different perspectives

So we are building up a general picture of Job. Now lets look at this portrait from different angles. First lets get down low and consider the information we find in verses 4 and 5.
1. Consider the perspective from below

His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. These feasts were not just parties it seems but house parties – they would last a number of days. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular custom.

This highlights:
1 Caring for one’s family

Part of Job’s holiness was his care for his family. You know the saying ‘Charity begins at home’ – love your family first. Well, holiness begins with our families and friends too. Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. A holy man loves and cares for his family, for those nearest to him. It is a good test of how holy we are – what sort of relationship do you have with your husband, your wife, your children, your brothers and sisters, your parents? Do you love them and care for them? Job’s children had grown up by this time but still he loved them and cared about them. The facts especially highlight the responsibility of fathers.
2 Taking sin seriously

It is clear too that Job took sin seriously. Some would think him extreme. It does not say that these house parties were riotous affairs or that anything wicked took place there but Job knew that when people talk, when they enjoy themselves, there is always the danger of saying or thinking or doing something sinful, forgetting the seriousness of life and the judgement and cursing God – the great sin mentioned three times in this opening section. And so in light of this danger, each time there was a house party at one brother’s house there would also be another family gathering shortly after – a purification ceremony where Job would make an early morning burnt offering before God on their behalf.

What about us? Are we that careful about sin? Do we take care with ourselves and with our families? It is no good pretending that our children are sinless. Job lived before the coming of Christ and so things were rather different in some ways but today we ought to be up early, regularly praying for ourselves and our families. There ought to be regular family worship – led by dad usually but with everyone joining in enthusiastically. We must take sin seriously. You hear every now and again of those working with tigers or lions being mauled. Sin is like a wild animal crouching at our doors – we must keep it under or it will kill us.
3 Relying on atoning blood

Let’s say something about these sacrifices too. As we have said, Job lived before Christ and also before the Levitical priesthood and Temple sacrifices were established. However, he knew that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. He knew that it is not enough simply to confess sin. There has to be an atonement. No doubt Job would take the animal involved, a clean animal such as a sheep or an ox (not a camel or a donkey) and confess over it his own faults and those of his family. Then the animal would be killed and burnt up on an altar of undressed stones. Job didn’t have the understanding we have but he knew this symbolic ceremony of atonement was pointing forward to what God was going to do deal with sin one day. The fulfilment is in Christ who died on the cross to atone for sin once and for all. We no longer have to go through the ritual of animal sacrifice. We know that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. Rather we look back to the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all on the cross.

Realise this is the only way sin can be dealt with? Being sorry and doing good is never enough. There has to be a just atonement – Christ dying in your place. There is no holiness without absolute reliance on the atoning blood. This is your one hope of forgiveness.
2. Consider the perspective from above

Next we need to get ourselves up high and look down on the portrait. This is what the narrative does next - something we can’t do in the same way. We go from the earthly viewpoint to the heavenly, the spiritual one. Both are important. Too many live only with an earthly perspective. That only shows half the picture or less. Exactly how such things work we cannot know but it is clearly based on a reality. It is not fiction. We are shown a meeting taking place there between the sons of God (ie the angels) and the LORD. God, as it were, has called his generals in for a staff meeting. With the angels is Satan. The word means "accuser" and is used for the heavenly creature or angel who rebelled against God and led others into rebellion too. He too has to report to God. God raises the subject for discussion. He speaks very highly to him of my servant Job. There is no-one on earth like him he says. How different to Satan. But Satan scoffs and sneers. His argument is that Job is only faithful because it suits him. God has made him happy and rich and so serving God is easy. If God would allow Satan to attack Job he would soon change his tune. This is an attack both on Job and God from the ultimate cynic. Job is in it for what he can get and God cannot get anyone to serve him without bribing them. There are two things to notice then.
1 Job was approved by God

Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. The LORD was genuinely impressed with Job. He was proud of him. He was glad to see such an example. We do not think enough of how the way we live is appreciated in heaven. We are living out our lives before God. He knows all about us. If we are blameless and upright he knows. If we are blameworthy or crooked in any way he knows that too. If we fear him and shun evil he knows and if we lack reverence or do evil he knows that too. Remember that. God is watching. How proud he is, how glad when, through Jesus Christ, we live in a way that pleases him. Do you have God’s approval through faith in Christ?
2 Job was hated by Satan

The other side of it is that if we live godly lives we will attract Satan’s attention. He knows who the holy people are in this area and in every place. He makes it his business to find out. More, so great is his hatred for holiness and for anything that pleases God he is determined to do anything and everything that will serve to our blame; anything to twist and pervert us; anything he is allowed to do to lead us from God and into sin. He sneers at our very best efforts, always doubts our motives and if he can possibly discourage us or drive a wedge between God and us, he will. He is a dangerous and malicious foe. Beware of him. He is an enemy to all that is holy.
3. Observe certain notable features

Finally, we come to a most important element in this book – what happens to Job next. As we look at the portrait again, we see things dramatically changed. First, all his wealth is suddenly removed; then his children are also wiped out – ten of them all gone in a moment. A little later we look again and this time the man himself is changed – he sits on an ash heap, scraping his body covered in painful sores from head to toe. Apart from these new features, however, there is no change. So
1. Observe the notable feature of equanimity
He was

1 Not exempt from suffering

The idea does surface from time to time that holy people are somehow exempt from suffering. It was a popular idea in Job’s day. However, what happens next here reminds us that is seldom, if ever, true. Job loses in rapid succession all his possessions, most of his his servants and all his children. First the Sabeans attack and carry off his oxen and donkeys and kill the servants. Then lightning falls and all the sheep and those tending them die – perhaps they were all in the same building and it caught fire. Next Chaldeans carry off the camels and kill the servants. Finally, he hears that a tornado has whipped in from the desert and all his children have been killed in the older brother’s house. This is not just suffering but multiple suffering. Often it is the combinations that so hurt us.
People suffer for various reasons – there is no one reason. Since the fall of this world into sin there has been suffering and death. Here we are let into the secret of why Job suffered as he did. However, Job did not know why things suddenly began to go wrong. It was kept from him. However, he did have the consolation of knowing it could not have been from some sin on his part. That must be a great comfort in suffering. Usually we cannot be sure just why we are suffering. No matter how holy we are, we are unlikely to be exempt. Indeed, in some ways the more holy we are the more likely it is that we will suffer.
2 Readily acknowledging God’s sovereignty

Job’s response was a recognition of the sovereignty of God. God is not the author of sin but he does control all things. See verses 20 and 21 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. He mourned his great loss. There is no pretence that he did not. But as he worships he says, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. God does as he pleases. Have you realised that? Do you believe it? Does it shape your life? There was a time in the life of this church about 20 years ago when, as in many other churches, that thought had perhaps been forgotten a little but then it was rediscovered – and what excitement it caused. It is a wonderful truth. We need to get hold of it and keep hold of it. It is vital – especially when the storms come. God is in control.
3 Worshipping God whether times are good or bad

Job said this as he fell to the ground in worship. The complete sentence is Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. His theology led him to worship – that’s where all good theology leads. Job worshipped God before things went wrong - and after too. Is it true of us? It ought to be, for God sends both good and bad times.
4 Unwilling to charge God with wrongdoing

Verse 22 says In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. He proved Satan wrong. He did not curse God. He did not say a word against him. He would not murmur or complain. Again, what an example of godliness he is. How he points us to the suffering Saviour himself and all he has done for us. Are we anything like Job?
2. Observe the notable feature of perseverance
We continue to look at Job’s portrait and next we see him on the ash heap covered in sores. He was
1 Afflicted even in his own body

As we come into Chapter 2 we see some things do not change – God’s confidence and Satan’s animosity certainly. The big change for Job is that now his own body is under attack. Satan’s argument is that Job coped with loss of property and of his family but if he is allowed to attack Job himself then he will certainly curse God. And so he is allowed to afflict Job with a terrible disease. We do not know what it was – small pox, severe eczema, elephantiasis or some disease unknown to us. Whatever it was, it caused great suffering. Even the holiest people sometimes have to suffer such things in God’s will. We should expect suffering in this life.
2 Let down by those closest to him

To make matters worse Job’s own wife feels she cannot take any more. Are you still holding on to your integrity? she says Curse God and die! ‘Do the very thing Satan wants’ she says, not realising. How the devil must have rejoiced at such words. ‘Curse God and you will die and it will all be over’ that seems to be her argument. This is one of the things that always makes suffering so much worse – the lack of sympathy and the bad advice from others – especially when it is those nearest to us. Do not be surprised when it happens to you.
3 Yet still willing to accept both good and bad times

Job speaks very tenderly. You are talking like a foolish woman he says (like, not ‘You fool!’. How gracious). This is not wise. Wisdom says rather, Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? This is the right perspective if we are to persevere. Is it yours?
4 And still saying nothing sinful

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. That is the thing to aim at when we are in trouble. Keep a hold on that tongue in times of trouble. Don't let it betray you.
So we see a wonderful portrait. Let’s seek to learn from it and emulate it by God’s grace. Amen.