If we look into the Holy Bible we will find a number of role models to follow in regard to fatherhood, though the time we live in is removed millenia from when the time these men lived.
Job is a great example of what a father should be. Job 1 gives us a brief introductory sketch of this great man. From Job 1:5 we can learn things about Job that we should emulate. However, in order for us to actually put these things into practice we will need to look at another verse. In total there shall be eight things that we need to learn about Job and make part of our lives.
1. Job Faced Reality
“And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about,” begins verse 5.
Job dearly loved his children but his love was a godly love that put one’s relationship with God before one’s relationship with their family. While that might sound harsh to some, godly parental love puts things in the proper perspective.
Job knew very well that wine drinking might get out of control at times, even for his own children whom I am sure he carefully raised. From this verse we see he did not think more highly of his children than he ought to, realizing that only God is perfect.
So Job faced the possibility that the sinful nature of his children might dominate in some way. He realized the power of the human flesh, the power of sin and the power of satan (I avoid capitalizing that name).
He did not hide from these issues or ignore them.
2. Job Took the Initiative
Verse 5 continues, “…that Job sent…”
Though his children were grown, he would continue to remind them that they would be accountable to God. Job took an active part in the spiritual aspect of their lives hoping that his children would take it upon themselves to consider their own spiritual health.
It is good to have such godly concern, and first and foremost we must show concern in spiritual matters. Job did not entertain indifference.
3. Job Sought Holiness
Next we read that after sending for his children, Job “… sanctified them,” once they came to him.
While a good dad tries to meet the temporal needs of his children, the spiritual needs should not be neglected. Even if one is not a true Christian, they are like a priest of their family and it is one’s duty to encourage their children to seek God through Christ. Since those that are not committed to Christ might not understand this, the least that should be done is to establish and maintain Biblical foundations.
Children need moral guidance from others and, frankly, their parents are to be the prime human resource of this, certainly not the school system nor the children’s peers. It should not even be the local church (although that should be second place) since children daily need that guidance.
With that, we must guide our children into what God calls holiness. That means reverentially studying the Holy Bible on that matter and communing with God in prayer.
4. Job was Full of Zeal
Verse 5 states Job, “…rose up early in the morning, …”
This man did not procrastinate in his duty and neither should we. It would sure be easy to stay in bed and back away from the duty of bringing his children before God, but he made it a priority.
Though we are true Christians the flesh will battle even the thought of drawing near to God and bringing our children with us. This is when our spirit must unite with the Holy Spirit of God and override both our soul and flesh.
5. Job was Full of Love
Job,”…offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all:,” states verse 5.
He left not one of them out, treating each equally. There is no indication he thought that one child was better than another, but most likely realized that all could be under the sway of sin.
There was a burnt offering on behalf of each child. This speaks of his concern for each individual of his seed and, again, treating all with equality.
But behind all of this was Job’s love for God and the ways of God.
6. Job Dealt Carefully
“For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.”
Only God knows our hearts and Job knew this fact. Hence, he says “it may be…”
Before I continue, you might wonder why it says sons when it is clear in verse 4 that Job’s daughters were also present at the feasting. The Hebrew word translated as sons in both verses can be translated as children, therefore inclusive of Job’s daughters.
In this current portion of verse 5, we see Job is considering the possibility of the worse for his children. There are times that are sinful nature gets us angry at God.
However, though he thought the worse might have happened, he was hoping for the best in that God forgives when we humbly call upon Him for His mercy and forgiveness.
Today, though our children sin, we can, and must, point them to the cross where righteousness and peace meet in the all atoning work of Christ. There is hope in none else.
7. Job was Faithful
“Thus did Job continually.”
Job’s spiritual protection of his children was spontaneous, never half-done, and never missed. This is a vivid indicator that he made it a priority to safeguard his children’s spiritual welfare.
8. Job was Godly
As we have seen, Job did a number of things that we must do. However, they may be hard to do because of our sinful nature. And I am sure that satan will be right there crying “hypocrisy” when a non-Christian, a weak Christian or any Christian even thinks of following Job’s example in relation to his children.
If that is your situation, please look at verse 1: “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”
The Hebrew for “perfect” does not mean in quality, but in completion in regard to both inward holiness and the outward application of it. “Upright” can mean righteous and “eschewed” can mean turning away from.
I would say the key is that he feared, had reverence toward, God. He desired to let God have control.
If you find it difficult to follow in Job’s steps as a father or mother, reverence God by asking for His help. Greater than Job is Jesus Christ Who has all the righteous acts we will ever need. Do not yield to your sinful nature and fully commit to Christ and you will begin to emulate Job.
Job’s one of my favourite characters. We should learn much from him.
An excellent commentary. Job was a faithful father, husband, community leader, and a God-fearing man. A prime example of when bad things happen to good people.
P.S. – I forgot, I also wanted to point out that I admire your choice to discuss fatherhood by pointing to someone who is a good example to emulate, rather than giving us a rant of what is wrong with the fathers in the media today.
Again, a good writing
I admire Job for many reasons. Absolutely he is a good father. The other amazing father from the Bible is the father from Prodigal Son story.
I hesistate to believe that Job was a good father. Job did not make good choices when he chose Sodom and Gommorah to settle. His heart was not right. He looked towards the bright lights of the city. He should be humble enough to refuse the first choice to choose and should instead insisted that Abraham being the elder should have the right of first choice.
The Moabites race originated from the incestous relationship between Job and his daughters when he was in drunken stupor. No children who are properly brought up would think of having this kind if illicit relationship with her father. Maybe the culture of Sodom had crept into their lives and Job did not do a good job to protect the daughters from this.
Sorry got my bible wrong. The character I mentioned should be Lot and not Job. I ask for forgiveness.