Job, Incorporated

Job 1:2-3 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

We usually (and unfortunately) assume that a wealthy and powerful family is necessarily anything but harmonious and happy. This was not the case with this family. Mr. and Mrs. Job had 7 sons and 3 daughters – a Godly heritage of 10 kids that apparently became industrious and outstanding citizens in Uz. In the Bible the numbers 7 and 3 (and the sum of 10) all refer to completeness and a token of divine favor. (Interestingly, at the end of the story [chapter 42] 7 sons and 3 daughters are again given to the parents).

The huge mansion where the parents and the three daughters lived was located in a picturesque country setting at the end of Pleasantville Lane. An idyllic family, the Job’s were the Ozzie and Harriet Nelsons, the Ward and June Cleavers (Leave it to Beaver), and the Cartwrights (Bonanza) of the 2nd Millennium BC. It was a large and princely and prestigious household. Mrs. Job’s name is never given, but tradition tells us that it was “Diynah.” The intimacy and harmony of the family will be addressed further in verses 4-5.

The wealth of our main character was staggering. His business empire (Job Inc.) had 7000 sheep (one thousand for each of the sons?), 3000 camels (one thousand for each of the daughter?), 500 yoke of oxen (for Mr. Job?), and 500 female donkeys (for Mrs. Job?). Camels were known as the ships of the desert – if we were to put this into today’s context we could say that he owned 3000 semi trucks – 1500 Peterbilts and 1500 Kenworths!

Having such a multitude of oxen indicated that Job was devoted to the cultivation of the soil, and the 500 female donkeys were prized for their milk and also for riding. Besides the multitude of animals, there were very many employees in his great household.

He was an internationally famous businessman and an immensely wealthy figure – the Bill Gates or Warren Buffet of his day. In fact in just a few verses (1:10) Satan will complain to God that Job’s wealth was “bursting forth upon the land.” The same word is used in Proverbs 3:10, “So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will burst forth with new wine.” The Living Bible calls him the “richest cattleman in that entire area.” In his commentary Adam Clarke says, “…he was more eminent than any other person in that region in wisdom, wealth and piety.”

The last few words of verse three sum up this man’s status in life: He was the greatest of all the men of the east – that harsh and romantic area directly east of Palestine. He was a man of great wealth, great esteem, great power, great honor, and great character.

Perhaps you are a Christian businessman or businesswoman. Whether your business is booming and “bursting forth upon the land” or whether you are having a hard time meeting payroll and paying vendors, strive to keep verse one as your personal mission statement. “Lord, in all of my business endeavors, help me to become and remain a person of integrity.”