Uz ( Job 1:1) was probably southeast of the Dead Sea (cf. Job 1:3; Job 1:14; Job 1:19; Job 42:12). [1] Some scholars place it in Bashan south of Damascus, but the writer of Lamentations (probably Jeremiah) associated the land of Uz with Edom ( Lamentations 4:21). References to customs, geography, and natural history elsewhere in the book support this general location (cf. Jeremiah 25:20). All possible locations are outside Palestine, suggesting that the message of this book is universal and not related exclusively to the Israelites. [2] Another indication of the same thing is that the writer did not identify when Job lived. [source][source][source]
Job was no ordinary man. He was not even an ordinary good man (cf. Job 1:8; Job 2:3). He was an exceptionally admirable person because of his character and conduct ( Job 1:1). "Blameless" (Heb. tam) means complete. The word usually describes integrity and spiritual maturity. When Job sinned, he dealt with his sin appropriately, an evidence of his blamelessness. Job was not sinless (cf. Job 13:26; Job 14:16-17). "Upright" (Heb. yasar) refers to behavior that is in harmony with God"s ways. [source][source][source]
"He is not Everyman; he is unique." [3][source]
"The fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of Wisdom of Solomon , was the hallmark of Job." [4][source]
Job was wealthy as well as godly ( Job 1:2-3). Evidently there were several other great (wealthy) men in that part of the world in his day, but Job surpassed them all. [source][source][source]
". . . the meaning is apparently that the seven brothers took it in turn to entertain on the seven days of every week, so that every day was a feast day. This is more natural than the view that the reference is to birthdays, when there would be seven feasts a year. This is all part of the artistry of the story, to build up the picture of the ideal happiness of Job and his family." [5][source]
Job demonstrated the proper spiritual concern for his own family members, as well as interest in their physical and social welfare ( Job 1:3-4). Evidently he offered sacrifices each week for his children in case they had committed sins in their merriment. The phrase "rising up early in the morning" ( Job 1:5) is a common Hebrew idiom for conscientious activity (cf. Genesis 22:3; et al.); it does not necessarily limit the time of Job"s sacrifice. [6][source]
"The author uses the numbers three, seven, and ten, all symbolic of completeness, to demonstrate that Job"s wealth was staggering." [7][source]
Job"s character is important because this book reveals that the basis of the relationship between God and people is essentially God"s sovereign grace and our response of trust and obedience. The basic problem the Book of Job sets forth seems to be the relationship between God and man. [8][source]
"The book of Job deals essentially with man"s relationship with God, centering on two questions. The first question Isaiah , Why does man worship God?... [source][source][source]
"The second question Isaiah , How will man react to God when God seems unconcerned about his problems?" [9][source]
God chose to test an extremely righteous man so all of us could see that it was not Job"s personal goodness that formed the basis for his relationship with God. If Job suffered, being righteous, righteousness must not preclude suffering or guarantee God"s protection. [4][source]
Job was righteous in God"s estimate as well as in the eyes of his fellowmen ( Job 1:1; Job 1:8). Evidently he was a believer in Yahweh. He had apparently heard about Yahweh and placed his trust in Him, as did other Old Testament saints similar to him (e.g, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Melchizedek, et al.). The fact that Job confessed to being self-righteous ( Job 42:5-6) does not preclude his having a proper standing with God by faith. Many believers become self-righteous in their thinking. [source][source][source]