Job 1:1-5

Job is a fascinating book, not short for sure, but filled with much truth about who God is and our relationship with that God. The scene is laid in patriarchal times, and it is said to be the oldest book in existence.
 
The book of Job starts off by introducing us to the protagonist, or the main character in this book—Job. He was a man who was godly, successful, wealthy, and wise—who had no idea that God and the devil were talking about what would happen to Job in the very near future.
 
These first few verses show us that there was nothing in Job’s life or in his heart or in his relationship with God that would cause the great suffering that Job would have to endure. We are reminded that a godly and righteous life does not make one immune from the sufferings of this world.
 
And we can see in these first few verses describe the piety and faith of Job. Three times he is called “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” here in verse 2 and later in verse 8 and once again in chapter 2:3.
 
The point of the text is to emphasize that what is about to happen to him is not because of personal sins. This book takes us into the mystery of how we are to think of or relate to the relationship between righteousness and suffering. Of living a holy and godly life, yet still encountering deep pain and suffering.
 
Prayer: Father God, may we walk in faith, pursuing a blameless and upright life like we read about with Job. May we be anchored in your love and truth that will allow us to overcome whatever trials come our way. In Jesus’ name, amen.