The Righteousness & Riches of Job
Job 1:1-5 reads:
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, 'It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.' Thus Job did regularly."

Although the exact location of Uz is unknown, some have suggested that it is within the land of Edom. However, much more important than the land is a man who lived there--Job. Job is introduced as "blameless." This does not mean that he was sinless. But, it does imply that Job had done what God required in order to have his sins forgiven. The same can be said about Noah, who was also described by this term (cf. Gen. 6:9). Since Job was "blameless," there were no sins that he was harboring in his life. One of the qualifications for an elder in the church today is that he be "blameless" (I Tim. 3:2).

Job is also favorably described as "upright" and one who "feared God and shunned evil." He was obviously a man of excellent moral conduct. He was fair and honest in all his dealings. Job understood that God is to be deeply reverenced and feared. Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 reveals that the whole duty or purpose of man is to fear God and obey Him because there will be a Day of Judgment! To affirm that Job "shunned evil" indicates that he made a conscious effort to avoid evil. Christians today must follow Job's example in this. We must "abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good" (Rom. 12:9).

Unquestionably, Job is a truly spiritual man with many admirable qualities. He is no hypocrite but a faithful follower of God and the ways of righteousness. These truths about his character are repeated by God Himself in these opening chapters (cf. 1:8; 2:3).

Job 1:2,3 emphasize Job's wealth so we will more fully comprehend the magnitude of his losses later. He was very wealthy in every imaginable way. He was rich physically when it came to possessions, relationally when it came to family, and spiritually when it came to His walk with God.

"And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them" (Job 1:4). It is unknown exactly what the "appointed day" of each son refers to. Perhaps it is a reference to a birthday celebration. The point to take note of is that there is no family animosity. Each child enjoyed the company of the other siblings. Peace and harmony in the family unit is such a blessing! It was common for ancient feasts to last one week.

However, even more significant than the fact that the family members loved each other's company is the action that Job took afterward. "Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all" (Job 1:5). Job's concern was for their spiritual well-being. He apparently acted as a family priest, and they were involved in the sacrifices. The fact of his early rising shows his diligence for this role. Additionally, the text indicates that Job offered these sacrifices "regularly." There is no doubt that Job knew what needed to be done when sin had been committed!