Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Job
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In the biblical narrative of Job, the theme of servanthood is explored through various characters, including the servants of Job himself. While Job is depicted as a righteous and faithful servant of God, his own servants are portrayed in a contrasting light, particularly during the trials that befall him. The account of Job's servants provides insight into the nature of wickedness and unfaithfulness, serving as a foil to Job's steadfastness.

Context and Background

Job is introduced as a wealthy and upright man, "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1). He is blessed with a large household, including numerous servants who manage his extensive livestock and property. The narrative quickly shifts to a heavenly council where Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, leading to a series of calamities that strip Job of his wealth, children, and health.

The Role of Job's Servants

The servants of Job play a crucial role in the unfolding of his trials. In Job 1:14-15, a messenger arrives to inform Job of the first disaster: "a messenger came to Job and reported, 'While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you.'" This report highlights the vulnerability and ultimate demise of Job's servants at the hands of external forces, emphasizing the suddenness and totality of Job's losses.

In Job 19:16, Job laments his isolation and the betrayal he feels from those around him, including his servants: "I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth." This verse underscores the theme of unfaithfulness, as even those who were once under Job's authority and care have turned away from him in his time of need. The servants' failure to respond to Job's call reflects a broader abandonment and highlights the depth of Job's suffering and alienation.

Theological Implications

The depiction of Job's servants as wicked and unfaithful serves to contrast with Job's unwavering faithfulness to God. While Job's servants fail him, Job remains steadfast in his devotion, refusing to curse God despite his immense suffering. This contrast underscores the biblical principle that true servanthood is characterized by faithfulness and integrity, even in the face of adversity.

Moreover, the narrative invites reflection on the nature of human relationships and the potential for betrayal. Job's experience with his servants serves as a reminder of the fallen state of humanity and the propensity for individuals to act in self-interest, particularly when faced with trials. It also highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God, who is the ultimate master and judge of all.

Conclusion

The account of Job's servants as wicked and unfaithful provides a poignant backdrop to the account of Job's perseverance. Their actions, or lack thereof, serve to highlight Job's righteousness and the depth of his trials. Through this narrative, the Bible presents a powerful message about the nature of true servanthood and the call to remain faithful to God, regardless of the circumstances.
Nave's Topical Index
Job 19:15,16
They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... ie a foolish man) much less for a servant, (ie men ... Ver.19 shows what the employment
of unfaithful men, who ... and upright man, consenting with a wicked man in sin ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Letter viii. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About Minding Ones Own ...
... he who is unfaithful in little, is unfaithful also in much ... towards Himself; and He
stigmatizes as wicked, him who did not forgive his fellow-servant the debt ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter viii to demophilus therapeutes.htm

Auxentius on the Giving up of the Basilicas.
... And what if He says to this servant, "I will that ... day's chapter answers well: "But
unto the wicked said God ... of Christ are ever the scourges of the unfaithful. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/sermon against auxentius on the.htm

How Saints May Help the Devil
... have convicted him; but having been unfaithful and untrue ... TO BEAR AGAINST THIS VAIN
EXCCUSE OF THE WICKED. ... what canst thou have to do with another's servant? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/how saints may help the.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... hide ourselves from any, without proving unfaithful to our ... Your humble servant, Your
most obedient servant, &c ... Such wicked customs have, to the great prejudice ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

The Motives to this Oversight
... be trusted with other men's souls, who is unfaithful to his ... with all his might, who
is himself a servant to Satan ... I know, indeed, that a wicked man may be more ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 2 the motives to.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... at peace unless you are willing to be unfaithful to your ... We are not kept apart from
the wicked by high walls ... of heaven." God had been to his servant a little ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
... and that he may not be found unfaithful, he endeavours ... Would it be hideously wicked
to expose them to the knife ... praise""O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter v covenanting confers obligation.htm

The Third Book
... judged faithful, for, as I said, the unfaithful must be ... proving himself, to be sure,
a good servant of a ... himself so holy that he even supposes wicked men can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... even where comparison is excluded, thus: "A wicked man taketh ... In the parable of the
unforgiving servant (Matt.18 ... Luke 18:1-8), and the unfaithful steward (Luke ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Resources
What does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What is servant evangelism? | GotQuestions.org

What is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.org

Servant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Servant

Servant Girl

Servant Leaders

Servant of Jehovah

Servant of the Lord

Servant of Yahweh

Servant: Bond by Paul

Servant: Bond by the Roman Centurion

Servant: Bond used As Soldiers by Abraham

Servant: Bond: An Abandoned Sick Man

Servant: Bond: Bond Service Threatened, As a National Punishment, for the Disobedience of Israel

Servant: Bond: Bought and Sold

Servant: Bond: Captive Bondservants Shared by Priests and Levites

Servant: Bond: Captives of War Became Slaves

Servant: Bond: Children of Defaulting Debtors Sold As

Servant: Bond: David Erroneously Supposed to be a Fugitive Slave

Servant: Bond: Defaulting Debtors Made

Servant: Bond: Degrading Influences of Bondage Exemplified by Cowardice

Servant: Bond: Emancipation of

Servant: Bond: Equal Status of, With Other Disciples of Jesus

Servant: Bond: Freedmen Called "Libertines"

Servant: Bond: Fugitive, not to be Returned to his Master

Servant: Bond: Given As Dowry

Servant: Bond: Hagar, Commanded by an Angel to Return to Sarah (Sarai), Her Owner

Servant: Bond: Kidnapping Forbidden

Servant: Bond: Kindness To, Commanded

Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning

Servant: Bond: Must be Circumcised

Servant: Bond: Must Enjoy Religious Privileges With the Master's Household

Servant: Bond: Must Have Rest on the Sabbath

Servant: Bond: Onesimus Interceded For, by Paul

Servant: Bond: Owned by Priests

Servant: Bond: Rights of Those Born to a Master

Servant: Bond: Slaves Owned Slaves

Servant: Bond: Sought by Shimei

Servant: Bond: Taken in Concubinage

Servant: Bond: The Israelites

Servant: Bond: The Master Could Marry, or Give in Marriage

Servant: Bond: Thieves Punished by Being Made

Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of

Servant: Canaanites

Servant: Emancipation of

Servant: Figurative

Servant: Gibeonites

Servant: Good of Abigail

Servant: Good of Abraham

Servant: Good of Boaz

Servant: Good of Cornelius

Servant: Good of David

Servant: Good of Jonathan

Servant: Good of Naaman

Servant: Good of Nehemiah

Servant: Good of the Roman Centurion

Servant: Good of Ziba

Servant: Good: Elisha

Servant: Good: Joseph

Servant: Good: Onesimus

Servant: Good: Servants in the Parable of the Pounds and the Parable of the Talents

Servant: Hired in Kind

Servant: Hired in Money

Servant: Hired: Await Employment in the Marketplace

Servant: Hired: Jacob

Servant: Hired: Re-Employed

Servant: Hired: The Father of the Prodigal Son

Servant: Hired: The Laborers of a Vineyard

Servant: Hired: The Rebellious Son

Servant: Hired: Treatment of, More Considerate than That of Slaves

Servant: Hired: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Servant: Israelites

Servant: Joseph

Servant: The Jews in Babylon

Servant: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Pounds

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Vineyard

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abimelech

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abraham and Lot

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Absalom

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Amon

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Joash

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Job

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Shimei

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Ziba

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Gehazi

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Jeroboam

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Onesimus

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Zimri

Related Terms

Woman-servant (12 Occurrences)

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)

Servant-girl (18 Occurrences)

Servant-girls (12 Occurrences)

Servant-wife (12 Occurrences)

Wine-servant (8 Occurrences)

Servant-woman (7 Occurrences)

Servant's (29 Occurrences)

Bond-servant (14 Occurrences)

Fellow-servant (6 Occurrences)

Servant-wives (4 Occurrences)

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)

Servant-women (2 Occurrences)

Brother-servant (2 Occurrences)

Body-servant (1 Occurrence)

Maid-servant's (2 Occurrences)

Man-servant's (1 Occurrence)

Ziba (13 Occurrences)

Stays (21 Occurrences)

Spakest (12 Occurrences)

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)

A'chish (17 Occurrences)

Attendant (15 Occurrences)

Aide (7 Occurrences)

Share (138 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Saddled (11 Occurrences)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Vassal (4 Occurrences)

Creditor (8 Occurrences)

Compensate (4 Occurrences)

Covet (14 Occurrences)

Spokest (8 Occurrences)

Shamefully (15 Occurrences)

Speakest (30 Occurrences)

Strikes (39 Occurrences)

Settler (8 Occurrences)

Countryman (19 Occurrences)

Achish (20 Occurrences)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

Service (317 Occurrences)

Almighty (242 Occurrences)

Anymore (47 Occurrences)

Kindly (57 Occurrences)

Shouldest (79 Occurrences)

Abraham's (34 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Shouldst (61 Occurrences)

Shewn (46 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Control (88 Occurrences)

Selection (71 Occurrences)

Yonder (15 Occurrences)

Vain (141 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

Knave (2 Occurrences)

Commandedst (5 Occurrences)

Camels (52 Occurrences)

Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)

Chedorlaomer (5 Occurrences)

Complaint (29 Occurrences)

Comely (32 Occurrences)

Abednego (14 Occurrences)

Attentive (18 Occurrences)

Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)

Affairs (27 Occurrences)

Awl (2 Occurrences)

Ah (43 Occurrences)

Sheshan (3 Occurrences)

Superior (18 Occurrences)

Sharp-pointed (5 Occurrences)

Successful (16 Occurrences)

Saddle (7 Occurrences)

Streets (83 Occurrences)

Sanbal'lat (10 Occurrences)

Advice (52 Occurrences)

Supplication (71 Occurrences)

Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Joash
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