Job Held High the Name of Jehovah

“Let the name of Jehovah continue to be blessed.”​—JOB 1:21.

1. Who likely wrote the book of Job, and when?

MOSES was about 40 years old when he fled from Egypt to escape the wrath of Pharaoh and took up residence in Midian. (Acts 7:23) During his stay in that land, he could have heard of the trials of Job, who was living nearby in the land of Uz. Years later, when Moses and the nation of Israel were near Uz toward the end of their wilderness journey, Moses may have learned about Job’s final years. Jewish tradition holds that Moses wrote the book of Job sometime after Job’s death.

2. In what ways is the book of Job an encouragement to Jehovah’s servants in modern times?

² The book of Job strengthens the faith of God’s servants in modern times. In what ways? The narrative opens our eyes to events of far-reaching importance that occurred in heaven and underscores the paramount issue of God’s universal sovereignty. The account of Job also deepens our understanding of what is involved in keeping integrity and helps us to grasp why Jehovah sometimes allows his servants to suffer. Furthermore, the book of Job identifies Satan the Devil as Jehovah’s chief Adversary and mankind’s enemy. The book also shows that imperfect humans like Job can remain loyal to Jehovah despite intense testing. Let us examine some of the events described in the book of Job.

Job Tested by Satan

3. What do we know about Job, and why did Satan target him?

³ Job was a wealthy and influential man, a patriarch of good moral character. He was evidently a highly regarded counselor who befriended the needy. Most important, Job feared God. Job is described as a man who “proved to be blameless and upright, and fearing God and turning aside from bad.” It was Job’s godly devotion​—not his wealth and influence—​that made him a target for the attacks of Satan the Devil.​—Job 1:1; 29:7-16; 31:1.

4. What is integrity?

⁴ The introductory narrative of the book of Job describes a gathering in heaven where the angels took their station before Jehovah. Satan was also present, and he leveled charges against Job. (Read Job 1:6-11.) Although Satan mentioned Job’s possessions, he focused his attention on challenging Job’s integrity. The term “integrity” carries the thought of being upright, blameless, righteous, and faultless. As used in the Bible, human integrity denotes a completeness of heart devotion to the person of Jehovah.

5. What did Satan claim about Job?

⁵ Satan claimed that Job’s worship of God was based on selfishness, not integrity. Satan alleged that Job would be loyal to Jehovah only as long as God continued to reward and protect him. To provide an answer to Satan’s charge, Jehovah allowed Satan to attack that faithful man. As a result, within the course of one day, Job learned that his livestock had been stolen or destroyed, his attendants had been killed, and his ten children had lost their lives. (Job 1:13-19) Did Job cave in to Satan’s attack? The inspired record describes Job’s reaction to his misfortune: “Jehovah himself has given, and Jehovah himself has taken away. Let the name of Jehovah continue to be blessed.”​—Job 1:21.

6. (a) What happened during another gathering in heaven? (b) Whom did Satan have in mind when he challenged Job’s integrity to Jehovah?

⁶ Later, there was another gathering in heaven. Again Satan leveled charges against Job, saying: “Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul. For a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch as far as his bone and his flesh and see whether he will not curse you to your very face.” Notice that Satan expanded his accusations. By saying, “Everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul,” the Devil challenged the integrity not only of Job but of any “man” who worships Jehovah. Thereafter, God permitted Satan to strike Job with a painful disease. (Job 2:1-8) But that was not the full extent of Job’s trials.

Taking Stock of Job’s Position

7. In what ways did Job’s wife and his visitors put pressure on Job?

⁷ Initially, Job’s wife suffered the same blows that her husband suffered. The loss of her children and the family wealth must have devastated her. It must have hurt her to see her husband suffering a painful disease. She cried out to Job: “Are you yet holding fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” Then, three men arrived​—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—​ostensibly to offer Job comfort. Instead, they used deceptive reasoning and proved to be “troublesome comforters.” For example, Bildad suggested that Job’s children had engaged in wrongdoing and deserved their fate. Eliphaz insinuated that Job’s suffering was punishment for past sins. He even questioned whether those who keep integrity are of any value to God! (Job 2:9, 11; 4:8; 8:4; 16:2; 22:2, 3) Under such heavy pressure, Job kept his integrity. True, he could be faulted when he turned to “declaring his own soul righteous rather than God.” (Job 32:2) Still, he remained faithful through it all.

8. What good example did Elihu provide for counselors today?

⁸ Next, we read of Elihu, who had also come to visit Job. Elihu first listened to the arguments presented by Job and his three companions. Although younger than the other four men, Elihu showed greater wisdom. He addressed Job considerately, using Job’s personal name. Elihu commended Job for his upright course. But he also said that Job had focused too much on trying to prove his own faultlessness. Then Elihu assured Job that serving God faithfully is always worthwhile. (Read Job 36:1, 11.) What a fine example for those who need to offer counsel today! Elihu showed patience, listened carefully, commended where possible, and offered upbuilding counsel.​—Job 32:6; 33:32.

9. How did Jehovah help Job?

⁹ Finally, Job had a truly awe-inspiring visitor! The record says: “Jehovah proceeded to answer Job out of the windstorm.” Using a series of questions, Jehovah kindly but firmly helped Job to correct his thinking. Job willingly accepted the reproof, admitting: “I have become of little account . . . I do repent in dust and ashes.” After Jehovah had spoken to Job, He expressed His anger against the three companions because they had not spoken “what is truthful.” Job was to pray for them. Then “Jehovah himself turned back the captive condition of Job when he prayed in behalf of his companions, and Jehovah began to give in addition all that had been Job’s, in double amount.”​—Job 38:1; 40:4; 42:6-10.

How Deeply Do We Love Jehovah?

10. Why did Jehovah not ignore or destroy Satan?

¹⁰ Jehovah is the Creator of the universe, Sovereign of all creation. Why did he not ignore the Devil’s challenge? God knew that neither ignoring Satan nor destroying him would resolve the issue that had been raised. The Devil had claimed that Job, an outstanding servant of Jehovah, would not remain loyal if he lost his favored economic situation. Job’s loyalty withstood the test. Then Satan claimed that any human would turn away from God if he suffered physically. Job suffered, but his integrity was not broken. Hence, Satan was proved to be a liar in the case of that faithful though imperfect man. What of other worshippers of God?

11. How did Jesus give a complete answer to Satan’s challenge?

¹¹ In effect, each servant of God who keeps his integrity despite whatever Satan brings against him demonstrates that in his own personal case, the accusations of that remorseless enemy are false. Jesus came to earth and gave a complete answer to Satan’s challenge. Jesus was a perfect man, like our first father, Adam. Jesus’ faithfulness to the death conclusively demonstrated that Satan is a liar and that his accusations are false.​—Rev. 12:10.

12. Each servant of Jehovah has what opportunity and responsibility?

¹² Nevertheless, Satan keeps testing Jehovah’s worshippers. Each of us has the opportunity and the responsibility to demonstrate by our personal integrity that we serve Jehovah because we love him​—not for selfish reasons. How do we view that responsibility? We see it as a privilege to be loyal to Jehovah. It also comforts us to know that Jehovah gives us the strength to endure and, as in the case of Job, that He sets limits to the trials we face.​—1 Cor. 10:13.

Satan​—A Defiant Adversary and Apostate

13. What details does the book of Job reveal about Satan?

¹³ The Hebrew Scriptures provide details about Satan’s shameful role in challenging Jehovah and leading mankind astray. In the Christian Greek Scriptures, we find more information about Satan’s opposition to Jehovah, and in the book of Revelation, we learn of the vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty and Satan’s final destruction. The book of Job adds to our knowledge of Satan’s rebellious course. When Satan was present at the gatherings in heaven, he did not attend with the intention of praising Jehovah. The Devil had a malicious attitude and a sinister objective. After he accused Job and received permission to test him, “Satan went out away from the person of Jehovah.”​—Job 1:12; 2:7.

14. Satan showed what attitude toward Job?

¹⁴ Hence, the book of Job identifies Satan as mankind’s merciless enemy. Between the gathering in heaven mentioned at Job 1:6 and the one described at Job 2:1, an unspecified period of time passed, during which Job was cruelly put to the test. Job’s faithfulness enabled Jehovah to say to Satan: “Even yet [Job] is holding fast his integrity, although you incite me against him to swallow him up without cause.” But Satan did not admit that his claims had been proved wrong. On the contrary, he demanded that Job be put to another severe test. Thus, the Devil tested Job both when he was prosperous and when he was destitute. Clearly, Satan has no compassion for the needy or for victims of calamity. He hates people of integrity. (Job 2:3-5) Nevertheless, Job’s faithfulness showed that Satan is a liar.

15. What do modern-day apostates have in common with Satan?

¹⁵ Satan was the first creature to turn apostate. Modern-day apostates display characteristics similar to those of the Devil. Their mind may be poisoned by a critical attitude toward individuals in the congregations, Christian elders, or the Governing Body. Some apostates oppose the use of the divine name, Jehovah. They are not interested in learning about Jehovah or in serving him. Like their father, Satan, apostates target people of integrity. (John 8:44) No wonder servants of Jehovah avoid all contact with them!​—2 John 10, 11.

Job Held High the Name of Jehovah

16. Job displayed what attitude toward Jehovah?

¹⁶ Job used and praised the name of Jehovah. Even when crushed by the news of the death of his children, Job did not ascribe anything improper to God. Although Job wrongly attributed his loss to God, he nevertheless upheld the name of Jehovah. In one of his later proverbial utterances, Job declared: “Look! The fear of Jehovah​—that is wisdom, and to turn away from bad is understanding.”​—Job 28:28.

17. What helped Job to maintain his integrity?

¹⁷ What helped Job to maintain his integrity? Clearly, before the calamities struck, he had already cultivated a close relationship with Jehovah. Although we have no evidence that he knew that Satan had challenged Jehovah, Job was determined to stay loyal. He said: “Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” (Job 27:5) How did Job develop this close relationship? No doubt, he cherished what he had heard about God’s dealings with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were his distant relatives. And by observing creation, Job could discern many of Jehovah’s qualities.​—Read Job 12:7-9, 13, 16.

18. (a) How did Job show his devotion to Jehovah? (b) In what ways do we imitate Job’s fine example?

¹⁸ What Job learned aroused in him the desire to please Jehovah. In case his family members might have done something displeasing to God or “have cursed God in their heart,” he regularly offered sacrifices. (Job 1:5) Even when being severely tested, Job still said positive things about Jehovah. (Job 10:12) What a fine example! We too must regularly take in accurate knowledge of Jehovah and his purposes. We hold to a healthy routine in such spiritual activities as study, meeting attendance, prayer, and the preaching of the good news. Moreover, we do everything in our power to make known the name of Jehovah. And just as Job’s integrity pleased Jehovah, so the integrity of God’s servants today makes Jehovah’s heart rejoice. This subject will be considered in the following article.

Your Integrity Makes Jehovah’s Heart Rejoice

“Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.”​—PROV. 27:11.

1, 2. (a) The book of Job describes what challenge made by Satan? (b) What indicates that Satan continued taunting Jehovah after the days of Job?

JEHOVAH permitted Satan to test the integrity of God’s loyal servant Job. As a result, Job lost his livestock, his children, and his health. But when Satan challenged Job’s integrity, he had more in mind than just the man Job. “Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul,” claimed Satan. This challenge raised an issue that went far beyond Job as an individual and that has continued long after his death.​—Job 2:4.

² About 600 years after Job’s trials, Solomon was inspired to write: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” (Prov. 27:11) Clearly, at that time Satan was still challenging Jehovah. Moreover, in a vision given to the apostle John, Satan was seen accusing God’s servants following his eviction from heaven some time after the establishment of God’s Kingdom in 1914. Yes, even today, so deep into the last days of this wicked system, Satan is still challenging the integrity of God’s servants!​—Rev. 12:10.

3. What valuable lessons can we learn from the book of Job?

³ Consider, then, three of the important lessons that we learn from the book of Job. First, the trials of Job expose the real enemy of mankind and the source of opposition against God’s people. That enemy is Satan the Devil. Second, no matter what trials we may encounter, having a close relationship with God will enable us to maintain our integrity. Third, when trials occur and we are tested in some way, God supports us just as he did Job. Today, Jehovah does this by means of his Word, his organization, and his holy spirit.

Keep the Real Enemy in Mind

4. Who is to blame for present world conditions?

⁴ Many do not believe that Satan exists. Thus, although they might be alarmed about world conditions, they do not discern the real cause​—Satan the Devil. True, much of the responsibility for mankind’s woes rests with humans themselves. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, chose independence from their Creator. And since then, successive generations have acted very unwisely. Still, it was the Devil who deceived Eve into rebelling against God. He is the one who has developed among imperfect, dying mankind a world system under his control. Because Satan is “the god of this system of things,” human society displays the same basic characteristics that he does​—pride, contentiousness, jealousy, greed, deception, and rebelliousness. (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 2:14; 3:6; read James 3:14, 15.) Such characteristics have led to political and religious conflicts, hatred, corruption, and disorder, which contribute much to mankind’s misery.

5. What do we want to do with the precious knowledge we possess?

⁵ What precious knowledge we as Jehovah’s servants have! Yes, we understand who is to blame for deteriorating world conditions. Do we not, then, feel impelled to share in the field ministry so as to inform people of the identity of the chief troublemaker? And are we not happy to stand up for the true God, Jehovah, and to explain to others how he will put an end to Satan and to mankind’s woes?

6, 7. (a) Who is responsible for the persecution of true worshippers? (b) How can we imitate the example of Elihu of old?

⁶ Satan is responsible not only for many of the world’s sorrows but also for the opposition that God’s people experience. He is determined to put us to the test. Jesus Christ told the apostle Peter: “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have you men to sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31) Similarly, each of us who follows in Jesus’ footsteps will experience trials in some way or other. Peter compared the Devil to “a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” And Paul said: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.”​—1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Tim. 3:12.

⁷ How can we show that we keep the real enemy in mind when a tragedy befalls a fellow believer? Instead of distancing ourselves from the affected brother, we act like Elihu of old, who spoke to Job as a true friend. We join our brother in the struggle against our common enemy, Satan. (Prov. 3:27; 1 Thess. 5:25) Our goal is to help our fellow servant to maintain his integrity, come what may, and thus make Jehovah’s heart rejoice.

8. Why did Satan not succeed in getting Job to stop honoring Jehovah?

⁸ The first asset that Satan caused Job to lose was his livestock. Those animals were valuable, likely his livelihood. But Job also used them in worship. After Job had sanctified his children, “he got up early in the morning and offered up burnt sacrifices according to the number of all of them; for, said Job, ‘maybe my sons have sinned and have cursed God in their heart.’ That is the way Job would do always.” (Job 1:4, 5) Thus, Job sacrificed animals to Jehovah on a regular basis. Once the trials began, that was no longer possible. Job had no “valuable things” with which to honor Jehovah. (Prov. 3:9) But he could​—and did—​honor Jehovah with his lips!

Cultivate a Close Relationship With Jehovah

9. What is our most precious possession?

⁹ Whether we are rich or poor, young or elderly, in good health or bad, we can cultivate a close relationship with Jehovah. Regardless of the trials we face, having a close bond with God will enable us to maintain our personal integrity and make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. Even some individuals who had limited knowledge of the truth took a courageous stand and kept their integrity.

10, 11. (a) How did one of our sisters react to tests of integrity? (b) What powerful answer did this sister give to Satan?

¹⁰ Consider the example of Sister Valentina Garnovskaya, one of many Witnesses in Russia who like faithful Job kept their integrity despite severe trials. In 1945, when she was about 20 years old, a brother witnessed to her. He returned two more times to talk about the Bible, but then she never saw him again. Even so, Valentina began to preach to her neighbors. As a result, she was arrested and sentenced to eight years in a camp. In 1953 she was released and right away resumed her preaching work. Again she was arrested and imprisoned​—this time for ten years. After spending several years in one camp, she was moved to another. In that camp, there were some sisters who had a copy of the Bible. One day a sister showed the Bible to Valentina. What a thrilling moment! Imagine, the only other Bible that Valentina had ever seen was the one in the hands of the brother who witnessed to her in 1945!

¹¹ In 1967, Valentina was set free and was finally able to symbolize her dedication to Jehovah by water baptism. She zealously used her freedom to participate in the ministry until 1969. That year, however, she was again arrested, and this time she was sentenced to serve three years in prison. Still, Valentina kept on preaching. Before she died in 2001, she had helped 44 people to learn the truth. She had spent 21 years in prisons and camps. She had been willing to give up everything, including her freedom, in order to maintain her integrity. At the end of her life, Valentina said: “I never had my own place to live. All my possessions were in a single suitcase, but I was happy and content in serving Jehovah.” What a powerful answer Valentina gave to Satan, who claimed that humans will not remain loyal to God in the face of trials! (Job 1:9-11) We can be sure that she made Jehovah’s heart rejoice and that he eagerly looks forward to the time when he will bring Valentina and all others who died faithful back to life by means of the resurrection.​—Job 14:15.

12. What role does love play in our relationship with Jehovah?

¹² Our friendship with Jehovah is based on our love for him. We admire God’s qualities and do whatever we can to live in harmony with his purposes. Contrary to what the Devil claims, we give our love to Jehovah voluntarily and unconditionally. This heartfelt love strengthens us to maintain integrity under test. For his part, Jehovah “will guard the very way of his loyal ones.”​—Prov. 2:8; Ps. 97:10.

13. How does Jehovah view what we do for him?

¹³ Love moves us to honor the name of Jehovah, no matter how limited we may feel. He sees our good motives and does not judge us if we cannot do all we would like to do. What counts is not only what we do but also why we do it. Even though Job was grief-stricken and had endured much, he spoke to his accusers about his love for Jehovah’s ways. (Read Job 10:12; 28:28.) In the final chapter of the book of Job, God expressed his anger toward Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar because they had not spoken the truth. At the same time, Jehovah indicated his approval of Job by referring to him four times as “my servant” and by instructing him to intercede in behalf of the wrongdoers. (Job 42:7-9) May we too act in such a way that Jehovah views us with favor.

Jehovah Supports His Faithful Servants

14. How did Jehovah help Job to correct his thinking?

¹⁴ Job maintained his integrity even though he was imperfect. Sometimes, under extreme pressure, he had the wrong perspective. For instance, he said to Jehovah: “I cry to you for help, but you do not answer me . . . With the full might of your hand you harbor animosity toward me.” Moreover, Job attached undue importance to justifying himself when he said: “I am not in the wrong” and “there is no violence upon my palms, and my prayer is pure.” (Job 10:7; 16:17; 30:20, 21) Nevertheless, Jehovah kindly helped Job by posing a series of questions that directed attention away from Job. They also enabled Job to see more clearly God’s supremacy and the insignificance of man. Job accepted the direction and corrected himself.​—Read Job 40:8; 42:2, 6.

15, 16. In what ways does Jehovah provide help to his servants today?

¹⁵ Jehovah also offers kind, firm guidance to his servants today. Moreover, we enjoy important benefits. For instance, Jesus Christ provided the ransom sacrifice and thus laid the groundwork for forgiveness of sins. On the basis of that sacrifice, we can have a close relationship with God despite our imperfection. (Jas. 4:8; 1 John 2:1) When facing trials, we also pray for the support and strengthening aid of God’s holy spirit. Additionally, we have the complete Bible, and if we read it and meditate on its contents, we prepare ourselves for tests of faith. Study helps us to understand the issues of universal sovereignty and personal integrity.