Job a Martyr and Protagonist of Our Faith

Assoc. Prof. Oyelami B. O.

National Mathematical Centre Abuja In this edition of our Heroes of Faith, we will consider a Martyr (sufferer) and Protagonist (hero) of our Faith, a man the Holy Bible introduced as a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that Job was perfect and upright, and feared God, and eschewed (hated) evil (Job 1:1). The period of his existence was perhaps during the Patriarchal period, 2000 BC in the land of Uz (Area of Edom northern of Arabia).Our hero of Faith, Job is a man who possess all the qualities that makes a man to see God (Salvation).In our modern times, in this eternity race, we can say Job is an Olympic gold medalist. The Bible described him as a successful person, devoted to God and his family, and well-reputable among his peers. His lifestyle is something that should encourage us on how to live our lives amidst of plenty, lack and suffering. Key Lessons about Job He loves God with greatest passion. His wealth did not intoxicate him so much as to forget God in his dealings. He was a righteous person who was tested by disaster (Job1:6-22) personally afflicted (Job 2:1-10) but maintained his innocence and the Bible said in Job(1:20) He fell to ground and worship the Lord He loves to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of his family, in Job 1:5 the Bible said early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of children. Perhaps my Children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Jobs regular custom. How many rich people in this world today are like Job? Most rich people would make fat sacrifice only if pastor will pray for them not to die or pray to win big contracts. He has a trust relationship with God and God also has the same with Job. Job said I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin is destroyed ,yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27, NIV).God has confidence in Job that he cannot forsake him no matter whatever problem he passes through. The Lord said to Satan have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shun evil (Job 1:8, NIV).What can God say about you? Perhaps a brother or sister who if given a small car or house, perhaps you will no longer come to fellowship or Church again. Some of us if call upon to support Gods work or men of God or even pay our tithe it is our brake lights people in the Church will see. He is a man who recognised that all things comes from God and unto Him shall all things shall return to, when devil tormented him based upon the permission of God, he said Naked I come to the world naked shall I return and he blessed the Lord In affliction Job do not sin but rather blessed the Lord .He did not accused Satan or anybody for his plight but consoled himself and blessed the Lord. We need to burrow a leaf from Job to always bless the Lord no matter how unwholesome our situations are.

His is a man who some people would call chronic Born Again or Scripture Union (SU) member. He is a man who understands the politics (Principle) of eternity well enough, if he loses everything on earth, he does not want God to frozen his account in heaven and never dares to accuse God. Rough Estimate of Jobs wealth

The inventory of Job (see Job 1:3) the Bible said Job ,before the tribulations, had 7000 Sheeps,3000 Camels,5000 Yoked of Oxen and 500 she asses .No wonder the Bible said he was the richest man in the east. If we quantify his richness for animal perspective point of view it amount to several billions of naira today. Item Quantity X 1000 Assumed average Total (X 1000 ) Naira cost(X 1000 ) Naira Sheep 7 60 420 Yoked Oxen 5 100 500 Camels 3 150 450 She asses 0.5 30 15 Grand Total 1385

This rough estimate of Job wealth for animals alone .What about landed properties, merchandise and farmlands, vineyards, grains in the barns, silver and gold in the depository? How much does a pair of a Yoke Oxen generates per day to plough a piece of land if put on rent? In Job days if someone has two yoked Oxen person be must regarded as a rich person! If we look all these sources of income of Job he must be exceptionally wealthy and he used his wealth to the glory of God. Let us compare what our Lord Jesus Christ said about rich people in Matthew 19:23-24 It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God But Job won ticket to heaven for being different among the rich that ever live on earth. Job passed through greatest tribulation, lost all his properties and seven children but never accused God for allowing terrible things to happen to him. His wife asked him to curse God and die but rather cursed the day he was born (Job 3:1) he bore the calamity with assurance to see God face to face in heaven. How many of us whether rich or poor can have such faith? In Job 42:12 God blessed the latter part of Jobs life more than the former days with double portion of things lost earlier. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters again and his daughters are the most beautiful women in the land and in verse 16, he lived a hundred and forty years, he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation and died full of years. This should serve as lesson to us as we wait on the Lord and as partakers in the sufferings of Christ. Job is a role model of a rich man who loved and served God amidst of tribulation and never gets angry with God. A man full of faith in God, and His eternity blessings and loved to establish acceptable worship to God in His household. How many of us or our wealthy people can ever be like Job? Can love and greed for wealth ever allow us to be like Job? These are million naira questions we need to ask ourselves and cultivate the habit of depending on God always no matter our wealth or situations. God is in control and eternity is more valuable than all the wealth put together, please do not allow eternity to slip away from you. May God bless us as we honour His words, Amen.