Anytime a student begins a Bible study on one of the great men or women of Scripture, he or she wants to know everything possible about the personality of that individual. What kind of man was Job, his character?

And it is here that I think most Christians lack. We DO NOT know Job like we should. Or even like we think we do. To have so much Scripture devoted to his person (42 chapters) we are ignorant of Job’s individuality. His depth, his quality as a follower of our great God!

In fact, many Bible commentators completely miss this aspect of the man of God we know as Job. Some textbooks on the Book of Job spend upwards of half their content criticizing him, seeking to reveal his “hidden” weaknesses.

But God glowingly speaks of him: “And the LORD said … hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Job 1:8

Did you read that?

THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM IN THE EARTH!

More about this later.

One of the best ways to determine the real character of Job is to examine how he appears outside of the Book that bears his name.

As he does in the Book of Ezekiel, for example.

And it is God talking once again, to backslidden Judah, the whole Nation: “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 14:14

Grouped favorably with Noah and Daniel, here is Job!

That’s a pretty good character reference!

Men who carry “weight” with God Almighty!

Now Ezekiel again: “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:20

“Their own righteousness,” did I just read?

So, by God’s Own Words, Job was a righteous man!

Then look with me at James 5:11, with Job again in focus: “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

This is no criticism, folks!

THE PATIENCE OF JOB!

Patience which God noticed and ultimately rewarded.

Let them say all they choose about the man Job, his inner self, his character.

The Word of God has spoken.

And that’s good enough for me.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

How does God see YOUR character?

And MINE?