There was once a man who…. was blameless–a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil, Job 1:1.
Job was a man who lived in a careful and prepared way. According to the description of his life, he was attentive to keep the disciplines of a person who lives circumspectly. His cautions in life are reminiscent of the five wise virgins who took extra oil to a wedding they had been invited to. Why? They didn’t want to be caught unprepared.
Nor did Job. Even offering sacrifices of purification on behalf of his children in case they had “sinned and cursed God.” He was like he wise builder in Jesus’ parable who built his house on a rock-solid foundation, just in case bad weather should come.
In this parable, Job is visited by four friends who have come to visit and mourn with him, but who subsequently begin to accuse Job of sin as an explanation for the horrible suffering he was experiencing. However, Job was a man who had lived circumspectly all his life. And that was his defense against their accusations.
This reminds of Paul, who lived conscientiously and therefore in a prepared way. He told Timothy, the young pastor that “The time of my death is near… I have finished the race…. And now the prize awaits me.” 1 Timothy 4:6-8. Job and Paul were alike in their perseverance in living in a godly way.
And there is no confidence like that which comes from living in a prepared way.
Prayer: Father of Job and Paul, we know that you observed and approved the way that these two men had chosen to live. They were prepared for whatever came to them. And we want to live like that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.