Job The Parent

“...Job would get up early in the morning and sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, thinking, "Maybe one of them sinned by defying God inwardly." Job made a habit of this sacrificial atonement, just in case they'd sinned.” ( Job 1:5 The Message)

Job was concerned about the spiritual welfare of his children.  His children enjoyed one another’s company enough to gather regularly.  The sons included their sisters even though it would have been acceptable had they not done so.  They had their own homes, it seems they were all responsible adults. 

“Job’s sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking.” (1:4 from The Message)

It would have been a sizeable party. There were seven sons and three sisters.  

Job offered a sacrifice for each separate child.  No group rates.  

I look at Jobs parenting and examine my own parenting of adult children.  I am thankful to live in the era of Christ’s sacrifice, not animals.  Yet I do share the same concern with Job,  "Perhaps my children have sinned. (Job 1:5 NIrV) 

I don’t kill an animal, I bow my head in prayer for them.  

I read somewhere that a family without prayerful worship is like a garden without a fence. I once assumed that young couples had babies, babies grew up and that was the end of it.  

As I see pictured in Job’s life, it does not end, it is simply different.  

I too am an adult child of my own living father.  I am sure he looks at his children and is still concerned over their welfare. I wonder how many times like Job, he prays for the four of us. 

“Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.” (verse 5) 

Job’s Friends

“Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz...Bildad...and Zophar..and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him. When they...did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept.....they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.” (Job 2:11-13 NASB) 

When troubles come, it is a blessing to have good friends   

When a friend has been visited with troubles, it is important to BE a good friend.  

Often, people want to offer some profound insight or repeat some empty quotation.  More often than not, just the physical presence of a friend is the better comfort. Just not being alone, not forgotten in the grief...

Job’s friends did that.  They showed up and sat.  In silence   

It was Jewish custom to keep silent until the grieving person spoke.  

“ Afterward Job opened his mouth...” (Job 3:1 NASB)

 And so did his friends. 

They should have kept silent, it would have been less hurtful than what followed. 

Lessons At Job’s Expense

Once upon a time... “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:1 NASB)

“...My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." (Verse 8) 

I’ve read the story of Job many times.  I know how it ends.  Job did not.  In fact, as he lived out the story, he had no clue there was such a battle being waged.

I’m thankful this story is recorded in scripture.  When I am on the other side of eternity, I hope to tell Job myself. His suffering has helped me time and time again, on so many levels.

Job never got complete answers while he was living here on this globe. The suffering he endured came from no fault of his own.

It is a struggle for me still....why God allows it.

Tonight I see that our fallen world is twisted, unpredictable, and quite ugly.  Our good behavior does not guarantee good rewards,  nor is bad behavior always punished.


Not fair.  That is just wrong.

Indeed so.  God Himself called Job blameless, yet he lost everything.  Absolutely everything.



Job suffered if for no other reason than to encourage me in my own suffering.  When I face difficulty beyond my understanding, when I have done nothing to bring it down on my own head, I can thank Job, and know that God is not unaware of what is happening to me.

Ever.

My Creator God has purpose in ANYthing He allows to come against me.

Often my own sin brings suffering from the consequences of my choices.  But when I struggle from no fault of my own, I can remember Job, and just as Job did, express my faith and trust in God, even in it.

When tragedy struck,  “Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.” (verse 20) 

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 24

“...But we had hoped that He....” (verse 21 NIV) 

The travelers walking down the Emmaus road totally missed Jesus.  They had preconceived ideas about what Messiah would look and act like.   They anticipated a Redeemer from Roman slavery and tyranny.  

...not slavery from sin.  

I wonder if before they died, they understood what a greater hope Jesus had brought than what they had expected.  

Reading Luke at Christmas I have seen Jesus’s birth, into an unlikely family situation. I saw a perfect life, obedient to His parents, and interested in the things of His Father.  Jesus served God and man, preaching, teaching, and healing.  

As a condemned man, Jesus suffered without complaint, even though He was completely innocent.  

On the Eve of Christmas, the world celebrates His birth, exchanging gifts bought with money.  

Let us celebrate the gift He has given us. 

And not just tonight and tomorrow.....

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 23

Bar-Abbas.  The name means “son of the father”.

Barabbas was involved in a political insurgence against the Roman government.  Exactly the crime Jesus was wrongly accused of.

Jesus was tried six times.   Illegally.  On false charges, at night, without sufficient evidence.

The popular vote was to free Barabbas and execute Jesus.



We all have that choice to make.  Will we choose Jesus?

 He has taken the punishment for Barabbas’ crimes those many years ago.

He offers to take the punishment for the sin we all are steeped in.

I have chosen.  I deserve death, but Jesus has done that on my behalf and set me free.

I am Barrabas.

Hallelujah.

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 22

“...Passover, was approaching.” (verse 1 NASB) 

“Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.” (verse 7 NASB)

"This is My body which is given for you..” (verse 19 NASB)

John had announced it.  "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NASB)

 Now, it is about to happen. 

Jesus had made His way to Jerusalem and arrived right on time....at the exact time that the sacrificial lambs were being prepared for sacrifice. 

 God had instituted Passover on the eve of His deliverance of the Hebrew nation held captive in slavery. It had been celebrated each year since.  Jewish males over the age of 12 were required to be in Jerusalem to celebrate and remember this important event in their history.  

They had been set free.  

Because Messiah Jesus, The Lamb of God, came to Jerusalem and allowed Himself to be nailed to a Roman cross.

I am set free.

Free from the sentence death.  “When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.“ ( Romans 6:23 NIrV) 

Free from the consequences of my sin. He has paid it Himself.  

Hallelujah.