“In the land of Uz…” Job 1:1a

This tragic story of a good man, whose family and material possessions were all taken within one day, begins with a description of him. He lived in the land of Uz, which very possibly could have been located in present day Northwestern Arabia. Uz is mentioned two other times in scripture: once in Jeremiah 25:20 when describing the “kings of the land of Uz” who would be judged by God; and in Lamentations 4:21 (also authored by Jeremiah during the Babylonian captivity), warning the Edomites of their impending judgment by God. Evidently, Uz didn’t have a very good reputation.

Most theologians consider the book of Job to be some of the oldest biblical literature in the Bible – possibly written before the Pentateuch (which is often credited to Moses). Job (pronounced with a long “O”) was described as blameless and upright, fearing God and denying evil any opportunity to overcome him (v.1). He had seven sons, three daughters, thousands of sheep and camels, scores of oxen and donkeys, and many servants. The writer asserts Job to have been the greatest among all the people of the East (vv. 2 – 3). Job was evidently a successful businessman who highly valued his family.

Given what we know of Uz, Job’s life was a light in the darkness of the region. He even prayed for his own children after learning they had partied all weekend. Job would offer a burnt sacrifice for each of them in case they had gotten out of control and cursed God in their hearts. The writer described Job’s piety as genuine and disciplined – it was Job’s usual practice (vv. 3 – 5).

We live in a time when the righteous are often looked upon with scorn by a world drunk with self-satisfaction. We may as well consider ourselves living in the land of Uz. Like Job, we who walk by faith, must live our lives as obvious as Job – not to be seen, but to point others to Christ and holy living. We do not have to be the greatest in the land… we only need to point to the greatest ever known by man.

Have a blessed day…