The Four-Fold Character of Job

 
He Was Perfect.
The Hebrew word is “tam” and can be translated “perfect” ( Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 8:20; 9:20-22; Ps. 37:37; 64:4); plain (Gen. 25:27); upright (Prov. 29:10); and undefiled (Song 5:2 ; 6:9).

Tam is derived from “tamam”, to complete; make full; be entire; to finish. It denotes that in which there is no part lacking to complete the whole, as, in our modern day, the complete parts of a watch or piece of machinery in which no part is missing. Job was not only upright as a chief among his people, but pious toward God. He was not only kind to his family, but he was just to his neighbors and benevolent to the poor.

The word “perfect” used to describe him refers to his utter simplicity and sincerity, to he being free from guile and evil intention toward anyone; having no part and lacking in outward life, conduct, and religion. It does not mean sinless perfection or being without any tendencies to evil, for Job was a human with the usual traits and shortcomings that show up under pressure, as can be seen from the Two Great Mistakes of Job.

He Was Upright
Job is also referred to as “upright”. This is the Hebrew word “yashar” meaning “to be straight”. It is, in fact, translated “upright” in numerous places (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 8:6; 17:8; 1Sam. 29:6 ; Ex. 15:26 ; Dt. 6:18; 12:8). But is also translated “righteous” ( Job 4:7 ; 23:7 ); “meet” ( 2Ki. 10:3 ; Jer. 26:14 ); “just” ( Pr. 29:10 ); “straight” ( Jer. 31:9 ; Ezek. 1:7 , 23 ); “convenient” (Jer. 40:4-5); and “equity” ( Mic. 3:9 ).

Job Feared God
The Hebrew word here is “yare” meaning “to revere; be afraid of; or to have deep respect for” ( Job 1:1 ; Ex. 9:20 ; 1Ki. 18:3 ; 2Ki. 17:32-34 , 41). True religion in Scripture is often represented as the fear of God (Prov. 1:7 , 29 ; 2:5 ; 8:13 ; 14:26-27 ; Isa. 11:2 ; Acts 9:31).

Fourthly, we’re told that Job “eschewed” or avoided evil The original here is “cuwr” meaning to turn off; to decline; depart from; lay away; leave undone; be past; pluck away; put down; rebel against; remove; be sour against; withdraw ( Job 1:1 , 8 ; 2:3 ; cp. 1Pet. 3:11 ).

Apart from the Lord Jesus, if ever there was a man to emulated – Job was he!