Job is remembered by James for his patience in suffering (Jas 5:11), and in Ezekiel the Lord remembers him
as a model of righteousness (Eze 14:14,20). But on three occasions in the book bearing his name the Lord calls him “my servant Job” (Job 1:8; 2:3; 42:7-8).1 The honor of being so identified is only shared by a very select company in the pages of Scripture, including Abraham, Moses and David. Though we humbly cannot claim to attain the faithfulness of these men, we do share in the same calling and we serve the same Master. What the Master appreciated in His servant Job should impress us as we live before Him day by day.
Divine Appreciation
In the prologue of the book, it is the Lord Himself who makes this possessive and exclusive claim upon both the man and his service. Many human masters would overlook a lowly servant and would take for granted any service performed. But this servant has caught the appreciative eye of his attentive Master, and neither the man nor his service have gone unnoticed. What an honor! Even so, as Mordecai knew (Est 6:6), such honors arouse the anger of the enemy.
Listening attentively, Satan at once calls Job’s integrity into question. This accuser supposes that Job worships God because of the benefits that he receives. He therefore presumes that the man will curse God the moment these material blessings cease to flow (Job 1:11). Indeed, the Lord had preserved Job and his possessions (v10), but now, so that His servant would be vindicated, the Lord removes that hedge and allows the attacks that follow (v12). Identification as the Lord’s faithful servant remains all the provocation needed to stir the enmity of this world and its ruler. In such a world we should not be surprised that our service would be similarly put to the test. Do we, as Satan accuses, serve God only for the benefits that we hope to receive?
Unique Qualification
Few of the Lord’s servants are asked to endure anything like the hardships of Job. But the Lord, knowing fully the inner strength of His servant (1Co 10:13), declares that “there is none like him in the earth” (Job 1:8). We should aspire to be likewise “blameless and upright” (v8 ESV). Certainly, these statements suggest a man who was in every respect walking in outward obedience. Yet we remember that “the Lord does not see as man sees … but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Sa 16:7 NKJV).
Even as we rightly admire Job’s godly benevolence to the poor (Job 29:12-17) and other acts of righteousness, the Lord’s review of His servant runs far deeper. As “one that feareth God, and escheweth evil” (1:8), Job speaks of making a covenant with his eyes (31:1), guarding the affections of his heart (31:9,27) and even refusing to rejoice at the downfall of those who hate him (31:29). Job is a man who knows his God and knows that his God desires “integrity in the inner man” (Psa 51:6 NET). One who desires to serve God must be a sanctified vessel “meet for the master’s use” (2Ti 2:21).
Faithful Service
A servant who maintains such integrity before his master is uniquely qualified to serve him in a very special way. We first find Job interceding at the altar for his children lest they have “cursed God in their hearts” (Job 1:5). There is little indication of any particular transgression. Rather, Job’s godly sin-and-soul-sensitivity extended to his desiring and interceding for the sanctification of every person within his influence. It is sin that separates man from God and concludes in righteous judgment. Yet, “God our Saviour … will have all men to be saved,” and therefore we are instructed “that … intercessions … be made for all men” (1Ti 2:1-4). The true servant cares for, and shares, the sensitivities of his master. Accordingly, we ought to intercede for the salvation of souls and the spiritual well-being of His people.
After the trial has ended and the Lord has spoken, Job, with his integrity fully vindicated, is summoned back to the altar to intercede for his friends. Though commendable for their deep sympathy (Job 2:11-13), these friends have offered no comfort, only accusation and provocation. Moreover, God’s wrath is provoked because they “have not spoken of me the thing that is right” (42:7). Yet God in mercy is ready to pardon (Mic 7:18) and He asks the same readiness of His servant. “My servant Job” is thus summoned to serve as priest-intercessor for their restoration. He “shall pray for you: for him will I accept” (Job 42:8). Still bearing the raw wounds of comfortless words, it is no easy burden. In the midst of trial Job had desperately cried, “O that one might plead for a man with God!” (16:21). At that time no friend was willing or able to take up his cause. Do we not desire, with God, to see our fellow servants restored? Interestingly, the restoration of Job’s possessions is linked to the completion of this priestly service (42:10).
Enduring Testimony
Job was a righteous man, but not sinless. Yet God used imperfect servants (David, Moses, etc.) to foreshadow His Perfect Servant in whom He is perfectly delighted (Isa 42:1). Likewise, in the sweep of Job’s experience we see a vivid portrait of Christ. Parallels with Jehovah’s Servant in Isaiah chapters 52-53 abound: a wise servant (52:13) who endured rejection, false accusations and scorn (53:3); one from whom all dignity was stripped away (52:14) and whose suffering was assumed to be the just judgment of God upon a sinful man (53:4); but one who was, and is, finally vindicated and exalted by his God (53:10) with intercessory power (53:12). Nevertheless, only the suffering and death of Christ is “for us” (Rom 5:8), only He could “put away sin” (Heb 9:26), and only He “ever liveth to make intercession” for us (Heb 7:25). He prays for us (Joh 17:9) and we are accepted in Him (Eph 1:6). Whereas Job foreshadowed Christ beforehand, we also are called afterward, as fellow servants, to bear testimony for Christ. This is our great privilege and highest honor.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
