Job 1:1-5 HIS RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER The first two chapters of Job and the last verses of the book are written in prose telling of the person of Job and some events in his life. it is really an introduction to the man himself and tells of God's confidence in him as a believer who lives by faith. Tragedies one after another are recounted that brings this man of faith down to where he is an outcast who was suffering emotionally and physically. The fact that he is described and one who "was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil," gives us an awareness of one whose wisdom is well known. He was a and man of integrity and fidelity. There was a harmony between his words and deeds. One who fears God has a genuine commitment to God. He also used what God gave him wisely.
The character of this man was such that Ezekiel and James referenced him as an example of righteousness and patience when he went through the fires of affliction and loss. He maintained his integrity by living consciously in the presence of God. Looking ahead to what he went through, he was the kind of man who did not try to regain the temporal and personal blessings he lost by confessing imaginary sins. That was not in his character as a way to express his faith. He was able, in spite of all he lost, to acknowledge that God is not unjust even though the righteous may suffer.
It is possible for us to take our blessings for granted with casual words of thanks to God for all His gracious daily benefits to us. It is possible that what we lose is really more important that what we gain of material things. It is also possible we may never know the reason as to why hard things happen to us that seem to have no purpose. Our faith develops as much or more through unanswered questions as the answered ones. It is in experiences that defy explanations, that we face the fact that God does care for us in spite of who we are and what happens to us. Why should we then doubt God?
In our world today, good is not always rewarded and bad is not always punished. The innocent may suffer and the guilty may prosper. Sin does have consequences we know, but as one has said, "God does not always settle accounts in October." Faith is not based on rewards. It is confidence in God who has His own sovereign reasons for allowing difficult events to happen to us. His purposes are really known only to Him in their fullness.
Whether Job lived in the time of Abraham in the Genesis period, or in the time of prosperity before the captivity in which Isaiah lived, it is clear that Job did not take his prosperity for granted. His wealth was so great it is numbered by multiples of 10s - even his children. His appreciation for God was evident in that he daily functioned as a priest for his family. This did not require a journey to the temple each day, but was evidence that as a father, he had concern for his children even after they left his home. On birthdays or feast days when they got together, Job knew it was possible for them to say some hasty words. In these first verses of the book there is a concern about cursing that contrasts with the main subject of the book of Job being righteousness. Job offered sacrifices for his children as a regular custom, because he was afraid, they may have "cursed God in their hearts." Satan argued with the Lord that if Job suffered, he would curse God. Even Job's wife complained to him that he held on to his integrity for his own reasons. She encouraged him to curse God and die.
What is our honest motive for serving God? Do we serve Him for what we hope to get out of it, or because He is God? The responsibility of a father for his children is to guide them spiritually and intercede for them with God. Our devotion to God is demonstrated when our children know we are moved in our hearts to commit them to God. The spiritual welfare for our children is one of our deepest concerns for them. Our sacrifice on their behalf today is not to give them everything they want at our expense, but to intercede for them, help them grow morally and spiritually, protect them from dangers we know about because of our experience and age. Then we encourage them to live for the Lord that they might please Him, and have something put in the eternal treasury above. God has not given up on us and we should not give up on our children.
There is a sense in which a father is still a priest for his family. We are responsible to define the need of redemption and reconciliation to God. We know that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Burnt offerings were offer for sin, and were also to consecrate people or things to God for His use and glory. When it comes to our families, when they leave home, we do not have authority or control over them, but we know God does. That is why our offerings on behalf of our children are important. God can do for them what we cannot.
My family, Gracious Father, how can I influence them for good? They need more from me than shelter, love and daily food - Each needs to experience the power of Christ's sin-cleansing blood - Help me make that plain!
Each one is precious, Loving Father, to me and to Thee! Each one must know Thee in order from sin to be set free - May each one of them personally come to the Savior of Calvary - Help me tell that to them again!
May my attitude, Holy Father, make clear what I believe! May each one of them personally in faith the Savior receive - For the sake of the Lord Jesus, let no one them deceive - Help me to give meaning to them, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.