Most of us are familiar with the story of Job in the Bible. Job was a wealthy God-fearing man with a comfortable life and a large family. His experience then becomes an account of unwavering faith, hope, and divine restoration as he endures immense suffering and loss.
However, Job’s story starts off with this statement from God: Job 1:8 (NLT) “Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant, Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
Job the finest man in all the earth.
According to the Collins dictionary a fine person is someone you consider good, moral and worth admiring. Have you ever wondered what according to God made Job “the finest man in all the earth”?
The Bible emphasizes that faith, not works, personal efforts, or keeping standards is the foundation of pleasing God and receiving His approval (Galatians 2:16). Salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). That said, our life should honour and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). And if God considered Job a fine man, he portrays a good example for us of a life honouring God. In Job 31 we read Job’s declaration of the principles he built his life around.
The 15 principles Job lived by:
- Sexually pure
The first principle listed by Job was sexual purity. In fact, about 20% of Job 31 is about this one principle (Job 31:1-4, 9-12).
Here’s how Job starts off describing his principles about sexual purity: Job 31:1 (NLT) “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” Then we read in verse 9 “If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbour’s wife.” And in verse 11-12 “For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.”
Job’s choice of sexual purity as his first principle is significant. After all, sexual immorality and infidelity have brought about immense problems for people throughout history, even today.
- Upright
Job 31:5-6 (NLT) “Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone? Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity.”
Whether you are tempted to tell a blatant lie or just a little white lie, a “lying tongue” is one of seven things God hates. Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT) “There are six things the Lord hates – no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”
- Obedient
Job affirmed his desire to obey all of God’s law. Job 31:7 (CEB) “If my step has turned from the way, if my heart has followed my eyes or a blemish has clung to my hands.”
Job wanted his life to honour God through obedience. God delights in obedience, even more than sacrifice or offering. 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
- Fair employer
Job’s intention was to treat all of his employees fairly. Job 31:13 -14 (NLT) “If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me. How could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me?” Job 31:31 “My servants have never said, He let others go hungry.”
Although Job lived over 2,000 years before Christ, Job’s principle is consistent with the Apostle Paul’s teachings in the New Testament. Colossians 4:1 (NLT) “Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master – in heaven.”
- Respectful
Before God all of us have equal value. Job reminds us all that every person is created by God, and therefore deserves the same level of respect as another. Regardless of their position, financial wealth, status, etc. Job 31:15 (NLT) “For God created both me and my servants. He created us both in the womb.”
We are called to do the same today, placing equal value on and showing respect to each and every one we deal with, irrespective of their position, background, or personality. Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT) “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
- Benevolent
Listen to Job’s thought-provoking statements on this. Job 31:16-20 (NLT) “Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?”
Wealthy as he was, Job did not want to hoard his wealth or use it solely for his own enjoyment. Job knew that he was blessed by God, and he also knew that those blessings were not just for him, but to also bless others. Job showed hospitality to all. Job 31:32 (NLT) “I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.”
James 2:14-17 tells us (NLT) “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So, you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
- Reputable and honourable
Job 29:7-10 (NLT) “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honoured leaders. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.” As a successful, wealthy person, considered great among his people, Job had tremendous influence over those around him, including royalty, government officials and judges. Even so, Job did not to take unfair advantage of his position or power over others. He emphasizes this by pointing out he would not even take advantage of those least able to defend themselves. Job 31:21 (NLT) “If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side.”
Job knew reputation mattered. Job 29:11-12 (NLT) “All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.” The Word of God instructs us in Proverbs 22:1 (NLT) “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.”
- Rely on God
Job 31:24 (NLT) “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold?” Remember what Job said on the day he lost his wealth? Job 1:21 (NLT) “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
He behaved as the Apostle Paul encouraged the new believers to do in 1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT) “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”
Just like Job, we are only a steward of the wealth given by God. We should keep our trust in God and retain our ability to praise Him in all circumstances, even in total loss.
- Humble
Job 31:25 (NLT) “Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?” Job knew his wealth and blessing came from God (Job 1:21). More importantly, he knew serving and honouring God was his calling and his true joy, even to the point of still being able to praise God when he lost it all.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NLT) teach us “He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfil the covenant, he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”
- God-fearing
Job 31:26-27 (NLT) “Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship?” Job’s behaviour lined up with the very first of the ten commandments, Exodus 20:3 (NLT) “You must not have any other god but me.”
- Compassionate
Job 31:29 (NLT) “Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way?”
King Solomon, reinforces Job’s principle with these words in Proverbs 24:17-18 (NLT) “Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.” God commanded the Israelites in Exodus 23:4-5 (NLT) “If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.” Jesus said in “Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT) “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”
Look what happens when we do that – Proverbs 25:21-22 (NLT) “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”
- Forgiving
Job 31:30 (NLT) “No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge.”
This is the way Jesus said we should treat those who hate us in Luke 6:27-28 (NLT) “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Romans 12:19 (NLT) reminds us “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the Lord.”
- Authentic
Job 31:33 (NLT) “Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart?” Job is not saying he is perfect. What he is saying is when we fall short, don’t try to hide it as others may do, admit it.
Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) teaches us “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
- Assertive advocate
Job 31:34 (NLT) “Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?”
God encourage us not to fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” And to stand up when needed. Isaiah 1:17 (NLT) “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
- Ethical
Job 31:38-39 (NLT) “If my land accuses me and all its furrows cry out together, or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners.”
Job’s principle aligns with God’s principle. Deuteronomy 24:14 (NLT) “Never take advantage of poor and destitute labourers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns.” James 5:1, 4-5 (NLT) “Look here, you, rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.”
A fine person
Did you see my servant ___________ (fill your name in here)?
Job 2:3 (TLB) “Well, have you noticed my servant, Job?” the Lord asked. “He is the finest man in all the earth – a good man who fears God and turns away from all evil. And he has kept his faith in me despite the fact that you persuaded me to let you harm him without any cause.”
Did you see my servant, Job?
He is blameless. A man of complete integrity. He fears God. He turns away from evil.
Can God say this about us too?
Prayer: Father, help me that my life speaks as a testimony to You and Your ways. May I honour You in all my thoughts and my behaviour. In Jesus name, Amen.
