Job 1:1

Letters to the Faithful - Job 1:1

Berean Standard Bible
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

King James Bible
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.

Hebrew Text:

אִישׁ הָיָה בְאֶרֶץ-עוּץ, אִיּוֹב שְׁמוֹ; וְהָיָה הָאִישׁ הַהוּא תָּם וְיָשָׁר, וִירֵא אֱלֹהִים וְסָר מֵרָע.

Transliteration:
Ish hayah v’eretz-utz, Iyov sh’mo; v’hayah ha’ish hahu tam v’yashar, v’yare Elohim v’sar me’ra.

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There was a man in the land of Uz
The land of Uz is believed to be located in the region of Edom, southeast of Israel, though its exact location is uncertain. This area is associated with the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, and is mentioned in Lamentations 4:21. The mention of Uz sets the stage for a story that is not confined to Israel, indicating the universal nature of the themes in the Book of Job.

whose name was Job.
Job is introduced without any genealogy, suggesting his story is timeless and applicable to all. The name "Job" may mean "persecuted" or "hated," which foreshadows the trials he will face. Job is also mentioned in Ezekiel 14:14, 20 and James 5:11, highlighting his righteousness and patience.

And this man was blameless and upright,
The description of Job as "blameless and upright" indicates his moral integrity and righteousness. This does not imply sinlessness but rather a sincere devotion to God. The Hebrew word for "blameless" (tam) suggests completeness or wholeness in character. Job's uprightness is a model of ethical behavior, aligning with Proverbs 11:5.

fearing God and shunning evil.
"Fearing God" denotes a deep reverence and respect for the Almighty, a central theme in wisdom literature (Proverbs 1:7). Job's fear of God is demonstrated through his actions, as he actively avoids evil. This fear is not terror but a recognition of God's holiness and justice. Job's life exemplifies the principle found in Proverbs 8:13, where the fear of the Lord is to hate evil.

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns forever as our Redeemer and King. I greet you, dear brothers and sisters, scattered among the congregations of the faithful, united by the Spirit and the truth of the Holy Scriptures. I write to you today, not as one who claims authority over your souls, but as a fellow servant of the gospel, compelled by love to stir your hearts toward the wisdom of God revealed in His Word.

Let us turn our eyes to the ancient testimony of Job, a man of whom it is written in the first verse of his book: “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). Consider, beloved, the weight of these words, for they are not spoken lightly, nor are they the invention of human praise. This is the testimony of the Spirit of God, who searches the hearts of men and declares what is true.

To you who cherish the doctrine of grace, I say: behold in Job a mirror of righteousness, not born of his own merit, but of faith in the living God. For though we know that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that our justification comes through faith alone in Christ alone, yet here stands Job, called blameless and upright. Does this contradict the gospel we proclaim? By no means! For Job’s righteousness was not a perfection of his own making, but a gift of God’s sustaining grace, a foreshadowing of the righteousness that comes through trust in Him who is faithful.

You who wrestle with the trials of this life—whether sickness, loss, or the accusations of the adversary—look to Job, this man of Uz. He feared God, not with a slavish dread, but with a reverent awe that shaped his every step. He turned away from evil, not merely in outward deeds, but in the inward disposition of his soul. Herein lies a call to us all: to walk in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and to shun the paths of wickedness, trusting that God’s Spirit empowers us to live as those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

I urge you, dear ones, as you gather in your assemblies—whether in great cathedrals or humble homes—to ponder this truth: Job’s life was not preserved from suffering, though he was blameless. The storms came, and the tempests raged, yet his hope remained anchored in the God who sees. So too, you are not promised an escape from affliction in this fallen world, but you are promised the presence of Him who has overcome it (John 16:33). Let Job be to you an encouragement, a brother across the ages, who teaches us that righteousness is not a shield from trials, but a foundation for enduring them.

Now, some among you may ask, “How then shall we live, if even the upright face such woes?” To this I say: fix your eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), who endured the cross for your sake. Job knew not the fullness of the revelation we now hold, yet he trusted in the God who would one day redeem him (Job 19:25). How much more, then, ought we, who have seen the empty tomb, to walk in holiness and hope?

Therefore, beloved, examine your hearts. Are you known as those who fear God and turn from evil? Not by your own strength, for apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5), but by the power of His Spirit who dwells within you. Let your lives be a testimony, as Job’s was, that the world may see and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

I commend you to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. May you stand firm in the faith, abounding in love for one another, until the day when we shall see Him face to face. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.

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O Eternal and Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, whose wisdom stretches beyond the stars and whose mercy envelops the hearts of all who seek You, we come before Your throne with humble reverence and fervent hope. You are the One who knows every soul, who sees the hidden places of our lives, and who calls us to walk in integrity and truth, as You beheld that ancient servant in the land of Uz, a man blameless and upright, steadfast in devotion and resolute in turning from evil. We lift our voices in unity, a multitude gathered in spirit, seeking Your divine presence to guide, strengthen, and renew us in this sacred moment.

Father of all grace, we stand in awe of Your holiness, marveling at Your boundless love that shapes the lives of those who fear You with holy awe and strive to live rightly before Your eyes. As You looked upon that faithful one of old, whose heart was anchored in righteousness, we beseech You to look upon us now, Your children from every corner of the earth, from every tribe and tongue, united in our longing to reflect Your glory. Mold us, O Lord, into vessels of honor, men and women who walk blamelessly not by our own strength but through the power of Your Spirit, who choose uprightness in a world that often bends toward darkness, and who turn away from evil with resolute hearts, trusting in Your unfailing guidance.

We pray for those among us who are weary, whose steps falter under the weight of trials, whose faith trembles in the face of adversity. As You sustained that ancient soul through the storms that would come, so uphold Your people today. Grant them courage to stand firm, wisdom to discern Your path, and peace that surpasses understanding. For those who prosper, keep their hearts humble, that their abundance may be a blessing to others, a testimony to Your generosity. For those in want, provide their daily bread, and let them see Your hand at work, restoring their hope and filling their spirits with gratitude.

O God of all nations, we intercede for a world that groans under the burden of strife, division, and injustice. Raise up among us those who, like Your servant of old, will fear You above all else, who will pursue righteousness with unwavering commitment, and who will stand as beacons of Your truth in places of darkness. Empower Your church to be a light that shines brightly, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, proclaiming Your love and justice to a world in need. Heal the broken, bind up the wounded, and draw the lost into the embrace of Your eternal kingdom.

Spirit of the Living God, breathe upon us now. Ignite within us a passion for Your name, a zeal for Your righteousness, and a love that mirrors Your own. Teach us to walk humbly, to act justly, and to love mercy, that our lives may be a living sacrifice, pleasing in Your sight. As You looked upon that man of Uz and saw his faithfulness, look upon us, O Lord, and find hearts that yearn to honor You. Where we have faltered, forgive us; where we have strayed, restore us; where we are weak, be our strength.

We lift this prayer to You, O God, in the unity of Your Spirit, with faith that You hear, with trust that You act, and with hope that Your kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. To You, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.