Job: An Example of a Perfect Man

The scripture speaks of the Old Testament being our schoolmaster and how we are to govern our lives today. This means that we can read the books of the Old Testament and learn God’s principles, expectations and some of the ways by which He will deal with mankind. The story of the man called Job is probably one of the most used examples of suffering in the Bible but nevertheless there is still much to learn from this account.

Job 1:6-8

6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

7. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

The first thing that God wants us to learn from the story of Job is that He considered Job to be a perfect man. Often, we in the Body of Christ hear the term ‘perfect’ and feel it is an impossible goal to reach. This is only so because of the way we define perfection. We define perfection by academics. An impeccable reputation, beyond mistakes and well educated are all standards by which the world characterizes perfection. However, God ascribes perfection to anything or anyone having the ability to do what it was created to do.

When we received the Holy Ghost, we were given the ability to obey the Lord in every situation. God expects us to live holy and we are able to live the way He designed. This makes us perfect. In the Old Covenant, God defined a perfect man as one who walked upright and truly feared Him. Job was a perfect man and he pleased God just as we can please Him now. Another very important thing to learn from this story is Satan’s position in the lives of God’s people. It is key that in the sixth verse, Satan came to report to God just as the other angels did. In the past we have believed that the devil is an equal opponent of God but we see here that this is not the case. Satan is the enemy of God and consequently an enemy of us but he is merely a rogue angel who is under the command of God like every other living creature. Therefore, God can choose to use Satan in our lives to test our faith but Satan’s power is still power given him by the Father.

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

In the book of Job, the devil reported to God and asked permission to touch the life of Job. It is important to know this because it shows us that if God does not allow, the enemy cannot move and it also allows us to see that the righteous will go through trials sometimes simply for being righteous.