Job 1:1-5 - Homiletics

The hero of the poem.

I. THE PATRIARCH 'S NAME . Job.

1 . Historical . Not fictitious, but real ( Ezekiel 14:14 ; James 5:11 ). Even if the Book of Job proceeded from the brilliant Solomnnic period, the person of Job must be looked for in remote patriarchal times.

2 . Significant. Meaning "Persecuted," or "Repenting,' if not better connected with a root denoting "joyous exultation." Scripture names are frequently suggestive of traits in character ( e.g. Jacob, Peter, Barnabas) or points in history ( e.g. Abraham, Israel, Benjamin, Samuel).

3 . Illustrious. Allied to that of princes ( Genesis 46:13 ; Genesis 36:33 ), like whom probably he was descended from the father of the faithful ( Genesis 25:6 ). The piety, no less than the intellectual endowments, of ancestors sometimes reappears in their posterity.

4 . Honoured. Commended by God ( Ezekiel 14:14 ), extolled by St. James ( James 5:11 ), immortalized by the Hebrew bard.

II. THE PATRIARCH 'S COUNTRY . Uz.

1 . Heathen. Though considerably civilized, as surviving monuments attest, the sons of the East were not embraced within the Abrahamic covenant, in which respect they fell behind the sons of Israel ( Romans 9:4 ). For countries, as for individuals, the institutions of religion are a higher honour and a greater privilege than the blessings of civilization. Yet:

2 . Not God-forsaken. If Job's countrymen, like Abraham's, were addicted to idolatry ( Job 31:26-28 ). it is apparent that a remnant still adhered to the primeval faith of mankind. Probably no age or people has ever been wholly bereft of light from heaven or of the gracious influences of God's Spirit. In the darkest times and most idolatrous lands God has been able to find a seed to serve him ( 1 Kings 19:18 ; Romans 11:4 , Romans 11:5 ).

III. THE PATRIARCH 'S PIETY .

1 . Perfect . Used of Noah ( Genesis 6:9 ) and of Abraham ( Genesis 17:1 ); describes the patriarch's religious character with reference to itself as

2 . Upright. Defining Job's piety in its relation to the law of right, as that which was "straight," or without deviation ( i.e. conscious; Ecclesiastes 7:20 ), in either thought or act flora the prescribed path of duty, and also distinguishing it from the "crooked ways" of the ungodly ( Psalms 125:4 , Psalms 125:5 ; Proverbs 2:15 ), against which saints are warned ( Joshua 1:7 ; Proverbs 4:25 , Proverbs 4:27 ), and which they strive to shun ( Psalms 101:3 ; Hebrews 13:18 ).

3 . God-fearing. Setting forth the aspect which Job's piety maintained towards God—an outlook not of dark, slavish terror, but of bright filial reverence and holy awe. such solemn and profound veneration as a contemplation of the Divine character is fitted to inspire ( Psalms 89:7 ; Psalms 99:3 ), as Abraham cherished ( Genesis 22:12 ), as is inculcated upon Christians ( Hebrews 12:28 ), and as lies at the foundation of all true greatness ( Psalms 111:10 ; Job 28:28 ; Proverbs 1:7 ).

4 . Sin-hating. Completing the portrait of the patriarch's religious character by depicting the attitude in which it stood to moral evil, whether in himself or in the world around, which was not a position of indifference or neutrality, but of active and determined hostility—a necessary feature in the character of the good man as portrayed in Scripture ( Psalms 34:14 ; Psalms 37:27 ; Proverbs 14:6 ; Ephesians 5:11 ; 1 John 3:3 , 1 John 3:6 ).

IV. THE PATRIARCH 'S ESTATE .

1 . Extensive. It comprised seven thousand sheep, bespeaking him an opulent flockmaster; three thousand camels, implying that he acted as a princely merchant; five hundred yoke of oxen, pointing to a large farm; and five hundred she-asses, which were highly prized for their milk; while along with these it embraced "a very great household," or a multitude of servants, such as ploughmen, shepherds, camel-drivers, besides guards, overseers, traffickers, and scribes; from which it is certain that the patriarch could not have been an idler—thus showing that piety is not incompatible with great business activity, or the ordinary occupations of life necessarily detrimental to the culture of the soul ( Romans 12:11 ).

2 . Valuable. The different items of the above catalogue clearly show that Job was rich, material wealth being in his case allied with spiritual treasure, thus proving that, though good men are not always rich, as unfortunately rich men are not always good, it is yet by no means impossible to be both; witness Abraham ( Genesis 13:2 ), IsaActs ( Genesis 26:13 , Genesis 26:14 ), Jacob ( Genesis 32:10 ), Joseph of Arimathaea ( Matthew 27:57 ).

3 . Removable. As the event showed, and as is the case with the estate of every man, great or small, upon the earth ( James 1:10 , James 1:11 ; 1 John 2:17 ).

V. THE PATRIARCH 'S FAMILY .

1 . Numerous. Under the Old Testament economy a large family was promised as a special recompense to the pious ( Psalms 113:9 ; Psalms 127:4 , Psalms 127:5 ; Psalms 128:1-4 ), and though an abundant offspring is not now a sign of grace or an evidence of religion, yet children are among the most precious of Heaven's gifts, and happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.

2 . Happy. Whether the entertainments they gave were birthday commemorations, or periodically returning religious festivals, or weekly banquets, they obviously formed a cheery and genial household. Innocent festivity is neither unbecoming nor irreligious, since it is not true that "man was made to mourn" (Burns), while it is true that God's people are commanded to rejoice evermore ( Ecclesiastes 9:7 ; Psalms 100:1 ; Philippians 4:4 ).

3 . Loving. If Job's family were mirthful, they were likewise harmonious and united. Few spectacles on earth are more beautiful than families whose members are endeared to one another by reciprocal affection ( Psalms 133:1 ); and yet good men have often seen their households torn by unseemly strife; e.g. Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David.

VI. THE PATRIARCH 'S SOLICITUDE .

1 . Reasonable. Gaiety and merry-making, while innocent in themselves and sanctioned by religion, have a tendency to cause the heart to forget God. Those who frequent social banquets and indulge in the world's delicacies are apt to become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God ( 2 Timothy 3:4 ); e.g. Solomon, Dives, Demas.

2 . Becoming . As a pious man, Job could scarcely fail to be concerned about the behaviour of so many young people, especially while attending a feast. As a father, he was doubly constrained to have respect to their spiritual and eternal welfare. Even more is it the duty of a parent to train up his sons and daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord than to provide for their education and settlement in life ( Ephesians 6:4 ).

3 . Earnest. The father who could be at such pains and expense about the religious education of his children as Job appears to have heel was clearly in earnest, and might profitably be taken as a pattern by Christian parents. Contrast the parental negligence of Eli ( 1 Samuel 2:29 ).

4 . Habitual. As Job's zeal was prompt, so likewise was it constant. The godly practice of Divine worship was maintained with unwearied regularity, week after week, or at least upon the close of every festive occasion. As a parent's responsibility for his children does not terminate with their childhood, so neither should his endeavours to promote their welfare cease with their arriving at the stage of manhood and womanhood.

Learn:

1. God may have children outside the pale of the Church visible.

2 . Prosperity and piety, though not commonly conjoined, are by no means incompatible.

3 . God's people should aim at the possession of a piety which is "perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

4 . Good men's families should themselves be good.

5 . Pious parents should train their children in the fear of God and in the observance of his precepts.