The land of Uz,  was named after Uz the son of Aram, grandson of Shem who was Noah's son.  Uz is mentioned in Job 1:1, Jerimiah 25:20 and Lamentations 4:1.  In considering that Aram settled in this Region (Genesis 36:20, 21) and that JOB, being one of the most well known to live here. 

This is one view where Uz was.

“To summarize: Job clearly lived after Esau, and lived in the land of Uz, which was part of Edom. Thus, we can consider it established that

Job was an Edomite.”• by James B. Jordan

June, 2000 BIBLICAL Horizons, No. 130Copyright (c) 2000 Biblical Horizons

• This is belief is based on a misconception by a scribe’s own personal commentary at the end of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament).

BUT… this is one example of how you may be able to do a little bit of

Scriptural digging and become smarter than the scholars.

• NIV Genesis 10:23 The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech.

• NIV 2 Chronicles 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.

Uz settled near Damascus

• Even though his father settled near Edom, the area around Damascus came to be called Aram, in honor of Uz’s father.

• When you hear of Uz, Syria, or Aram, think of Job’s homeland.

                                                                           

Maps by Ron Graham

Ptolemy and Josephus believed Damascus is the land of Uz that this is where he eventually

settled away from his father.

Date: 2000 - 1800 BC Why?

1. Job lived more than 100 years (like the patriarchs).2. He acted as priest for his own family.3. The raiding of Babylonian and Sabeans fits this time period.4. The monetary mention of kesitah “piece of silver” fits this time period. 42:11.5. Unique Hebrew style and dialect is considered a variant of the standard Mosaic of the first five books of the Bible. Moses’ writings standardize Hebraic dialect as Luther did for German with his translation of the Bible.

Damascus countryside

Damascus countryside

NIV Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man

among all the people of the East.

4 His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and

they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5a When a period of feasting had

run its course, Job would send and have them purified.

The text simply understood speaks of a regular get together and the sons did not forget their sisters but added them to their number.

Family peace and union had been uninterruptedly cherished.

The purification was the father’s, Job’s, deliberate attempt to act as intercessor for his children’s standing before God.

5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

The cursing of God means to “speak evil of God”.

This is very important to remember as we continue to go

through the Book of Job.

Is God responsible and blamed for bad things in this world?

Is His will for His people bad and evil?

NIV Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves

before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

Does Satan curse God?

Does he speak evil of God?

Does he speak evil of God’s will for his people?

Remember the Garden of Eden.

In the Lord’s absolute and cosmic rule, why is the evil one allowed a

place to stand?

The answer: The redemption of those under Satan’s power.

NIV Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might

destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil--

So far in the first few verses, we see Job’s family gathers

together.

So does God’s spiritual children.The original Hebrew

for angels here is “sons of God.”

Beyond earthly elements of time and space, the spiritual sons

gather and assemble.

Here we have mention of that assembly day.

Where are evil angels?

Some evil angels are in hell.NIV 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sentthem to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

Some evil angels are on earth.NIV Revelation 12:4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.

All evil angels will plague the damned in hell.NIV Revelation 16:13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

NIV Job 1:8 Then 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 shuns evil."

God casts down Satan’s pride.He points out that there is one who is not under Satan’s control:

Job does not like evil spoken about His Lord, does not partake of it, and even goes out of his way to undo its effects in his family.

NIV Job 1:9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

Satan calls on God to hurt and harm Job. But who actually will be doing the hurting and harming? Does Satan even blame the Lord for the evil done through himself? Yes.So sinners may say, “The devil made me do it!” Satan says, “The Lord made me do it.”

Satan believes suffering will draw the Lord’s people away from Him.

Isn’t that interesting?

But does suffering draw us away from the Lord?

Or does it draw us closer as we detest what has caused all

suffering? The lies of Satan against God’s care.

Satan believes the Lord will be blamed for the suffering.

He believes Job is vain in his religion. Job only worships the Lord to secure earthly wealth,

security, and family.

NIV Job 1:12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

In the assembly of angels,God allows Job to suffer.

Oddly enough, to our reason, Satan is carrying out the Lord’s

bidding to cause suffering.

Is the Lord responsible for evil?

Why did God cause Christ to suffer evil like Job while the assembly of angels did not

help Him?NIV Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

NIV Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

NIV Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Why did God cause Christ to suffer evil from Satan?

NIV Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

NIV Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

NIV Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Step aside from the tragedy about to happen, the event will show where Job’s heart stands before Almighty God.Will he remain steadfast and renounce the thought that God is the source of evil?Will he confess that God is good in the midst of an evil world held under Satan’s control?

NIV John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

NIV John 14:30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,

NIV John 16:11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

NIV 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

NIV Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

NIV Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

KJV Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

The Four Messengers

One day when Job's sons and One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Job 1:13-15Job 1:13-15

While he was still speaking, another While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell the only one who has escaped to tell

you!"you!"

Job 1:16Job 1:16

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:17Job 1:17

NIV Job 1:18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:18-19Job 1:18-19

At this, Job got up and tore his robe At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be away; may the name of the LORD be praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job 1:20-22Job 1:20-22

How is Job fulfilled in Christ thus far?

1. Christ is set apart from Satan’s kingdom due to His righteousness.

2. Satan believes suffering will cut Him off from God.

3. Christ is allowed to suffer and lose every blessing and earthly tie, never speaking evil of

His Father’s will in the midst of this.

NIV Job 2:1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." 3 Then 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 shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." 6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."

In a sense, Satan is correct.

For many, family and fortune are sacrificed for sake of self.

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it

as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10 He replied,

"You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this,

Job did not sin in what he said. 11 When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the

Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set

out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and

comfort him.

12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and

sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him,

because they saw how great his suffering was.

The open cry, weeping, renting of garments, and casting of dust are all outward signs to communicate how they empathize with Job.

The casting of dust shows humility brought from heaven.

In, 1 Samuel 4:12, a messenger uses dust on his hear to instantly communicate that his news is not good.

The friends are silent.They are obviously stunned and fear annoying the sufferer.

Afterall, reflect what it would be like for you to suffer the loss of all your children and possessions, less alone health.

But the long silence provides time for meditation that eventually overpowers and breaks forth in the chapters

ahead.

NIV Job 3:1 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 "May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!' 4 That day-- may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm its light. 6 That night-- may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be

entered in any of the months.

7 May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it. 8 May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.

9 May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, 10 for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes. 11 "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I

came from the womb? 12 Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? 13 For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest 14 with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for

themselves places now lying in ruins, 15 with rulers who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. 16 Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a

stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day? 17 There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. 18 Captives also

enjoy their ease; they no longer hear the slave driver's shout. 19 The small and the great are there, and the slave is freed from his master. 20 "Why is light

given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, 21 to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, 22 who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? 23 Why is

life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? 24 For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. 25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. 26 I have no

peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."

Notice from this section what Job’s view of the afterlife is for

evil and good alike.

The answer: Dead calm.

Is this Biblically correct? NO!!! Job’s view of death will drastically change before the end of the book. We will get one of our most beautiful Easter

hymns from the change that takes place: “I know my Redeemer lives.”

Just note the neat reference to the Leviathan.

Those who want to talk about Job are wrestling with horrible thoughts that are best left alone.