Although the society followed a patriarchal system, life in the time and place of Job was similar to our society in that unexpected calamities can fall upon anyone, however righteous or wicked. Often when tests of hardship visits us, we are left wondering if we have done anything bad to be tested in such way or deserve such punishment. In our journey of self-discovery, if we find no root cause of our problems, we end up with a mystery and ask ourselves "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Job, seen as a good and upstanding person (Job 1:2), is one such man on whom a series of unfortunate calamities befalls. It is because of his faith and steadfastness that he perseveres through his trials and tribulations and in the end is granted with a bountiful reward.
In the time of Job, as in most society, the status of a person was determined by their wealth and character. Job was a prime example of a person who was good, stayed away from bad deeds and was wealthy. In the society of Job a good person is someone who was an unwavering believer of god and hated the evil doings of the people around them. Faith in god or religion was important because it provided a set of morals and standards to follow, otherwise people would do as they saw fit. Job was a man who "was blameless and upright, and one who feared god and shunned evil." (Job 1:1). .
Being a productive and industrious member of society was also very important and encouraged. Not only was it beneficial to the person, it was beneficial to the society as a whole. Lastly it was very important to look after the less fortunate and disabled members of the society. One reason this was encouraged, as it is today, is because at any moment a person from social status and walks of life can face those circumstances. We can attest to job's good character when he says "I was eyes to the blind and legs to the lame" (Job 29:15), and "I was a father to the needy and I championed the cause of the stranger" (Job 29:16).
