He was that kind of man...

The book of job begins by describing Job, and 2 Hebrew words are used to describe him,

The first is "tam," and this word means perfect or complete. Now this can be taken in several ways. One way is in an earthly way, to say that someone is handsome, that they do not lack either in beauty or in need. They are rich. It can also be taken in a moral sense, to say that they are pure, innocent, of great integrity. Some versions say blameless. I don't know that I would take it that far, and no one other than Christ is truly without blame. But I would say that Job was likely handsome, definitely rich, and a person of great moral integrity.

 The second word is "yashar," which means straight, correct, right. I believe that this reinforces the first word, and lets us know that Job is a good man.

I think that this understanding of Job is going to be important was we see what happens to him, and as we listen to his and his friends response to those events. God was as pleased with Job as He could be with any human at that time.

Here is where things start to get interesting. Most people ascribe what happens next to Job to Satan, and only to Satan. I don't, as I see God is directly involved in the events that follow. Take a look at verses 6 - 8.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

 So Satan has been out observing mankind. God knew what was in Satan's heart when he said that he had been on earth. He knew that Satan was mocking God because of His creation, and how corrupt and evil it was. And then God, not Satan, brings Job into the picture! What about Job? He is not like the rest. He is like no other.

Yes, Satan knew of Job, and he was ready for this one human anomaly.  There was a reason Job was like he was, and it was because of how God had blessed him. Why, take away those blessings, and Job would be like everyone else.

So God told him to go. Verse 12.

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Satan offered a challenge, but God was in charge. And to further prove His control, God limited what Satan could do to the man. And so Satan does what he does best, he attacks Job within the boundaries that God set. He lost flocks, servants, even his own children. So, now that Job is no longer within the hedge that Satan claimed God had provided for him, how would he respond? Verse 20.

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

Wow! Satan was wrong. In the face of unbelievable lost, Job does not blame God, and in fact praises Him. Amazing.