The book of Job begins by stating, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”  (Job 1:1).  Also, in Job 1:8 and Job 2:3, the Lord declares that Job was perfect and upright.”  Let’s look at those two words separately to get a clear understanding of how Job could be declared perfect and upright by the Lord.

PERFECT – The word translated as perfect is the Hebrew word, “tawm” and is defined as “complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear:—coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright.”  Other translations of the Bible render this word as “blameless, of complete integrity, and without guile.”  Noah was another one who was called perfect in Genesis 6:9, “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” This word does not refer to an absolute and faultless perfection, for Job himself realized he was not perfect in the practical sense.  He wrote in Job 9:20, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.”  This does, however, refer to Job’s life as him having integrity, sincerity, and consistency in all his relations of life.  In the same sense as this, we are instructed in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  This is called a ‘practical truth.’  The Lord was us to live in integrity, sincerity, godliness, and to be consistent in our lives for Him. 

UPRIGHT – The word translated as upright is the Hebrew word, “yâshâr” and is defined as “straight (literally or figuratively):—convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).”  Other translations of the Bible render this word as honest, decent, and innocent.  This simply speaks of a man who is righteous, seeking to do the right things. 

What a tremendous commendation from the Lord to say that Job was perfect and upright.  We also see the Lord said that Job feared God and shunned evil.  May we live for the Lord in such a way, that we might receive the same commendation from the Lord, that we are perfect, upright, respect the Lord, and keep away from evil in all its forms and aspects.  While others may criticize us for our life of service to the Lord, it is encouraging to see that the Lord knew Job, his works, and his character.  Hebrews 6:10 tells us, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”  When we know Christ as our savior and seek to live for Him in all aspects of our lives, our Father knows it and will not forget it.  No, He will reward us for our faithful service to the Lord. 

Before we close this article, I would like for us to take a lesson for ourselves from the book of Job.  We read in Job 5:17, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”  Job certainly learned patience by his sufferings.  We later read in James 5:10-11, “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”  The Lord thought the lessons of Job were so important that he had James remind us of them so that we might learn from this prophet.  (CC)  (605.6)