Page 6 - June 2026 - Truth & Tidings

ob is remembered by James for his of the benefits that he receives. He there-
patience in suffering (Jas 5:11), and fore presumes that the man will curse God
Jin Ezekiel the Lord remembers him the moment these material blessings cease
as a model of righteousness (Eze to flow (Job 1:11). Indeed, the Lord had
14:14,20). But on three occasions in the preserved Job and his possessions (v10),
book bearing his name the Lord calls him but now, so that His servant would be
“my servant Job” (Job 1:8; 2:3; 42:7-8). The vindicated, the Lord removes that hedge
1
honor of being so identified is only shared and allows the attacks that follow (v12).
by a very select company in the pages of Identification as the Lord’s faithful servant
Scripture, including Abraham, Moses and remains all the provocation needed to stir
David. Though we humbly cannot claim the enmity of this world and its ruler. In
to attain the faithfulness of these men, we such a world we should not be surprised
do share in the same calling and we serve that our service would be similarly put
the same Master. What the Master appre- to the test. Do we, as Satan accuses, serve
ciated in His servant Job should impress God only for the benefits that we hope to
us as we live before Him day by day. receive?
Divine Appreciation Unique Qualification
In the prologue of the book, it is the Lord Few of the Lord’s servants are asked
Himself who makes this possessive and to endure anything like the hardships
exclusive claim upon both the man and of Job. But the Lord, knowing fully the
his service. Many human masters would inner strength of His servant (1Co 10:13),
overlook a lowly servant and would take declares that “there is none like him in
for granted any service performed. But the earth” (Job 1:8). We should aspire to
this servant has caught the appreciative be likewise “blameless and upright” (v8
eye of his attentive Master, and neither the ESV). Certainly, these statements suggest
man nor his service have gone unnoticed. a man who was in every respect walking
What an honor! Even so, as Mordecai in outward obedience. Yet we remember
knew (Est 6:6), such honors arouse the that “the Lord does not see as man sees
anger of the enemy. … but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Sa
Listening attentively, Satan at once calls 16:7 NKJV).
Job’s integrity into question. This accuser Even as we rightly admire Job’s godly
supposes that Job worships God because benevolence to the poor (Job 29:12-17)

1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV and other acts of righteousness, the Lord’s
unless otherwise noted. review of His servant runs far deeper. As

166 TRUTH kTidings June 2026