Job - Example Of A Godly Father

Today for Father’s Day I would like to take a look at a Bible Character that we don’t usually associate with fatherhood. We will take a look this morning at JOB. When we think of Job, we think of TRIALS. We study JOB to learn how to overcome our trials.

But there is another lesson that we learn from JOB. Job is an example of a godly father that courageously led his family.

The opening of the book of Job gives us important information concerning his character and his example as a father. IN Job 1:1 we read “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1, NIV84)

We will focus on the character traits of Job as a courageous man who feared God and Shunned evil.

Then in Job 1:5 we read about Job’s example with his children. “When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.” (Job 1:5, NIV84). Here we will examine Job’s example as a man who prayed for his children. These three examples are good things for fathers to remember this Father’s Day.

Job’s Courage as a Man who Feared God

The FEAR of GOD is a Theme throughout the entire book. Job’s fear of God is frequently mentioned.

1. The author of the book states in his opening commentary that JOB FEARED GOD. Job 1:1 “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1, NIV84)

2. God states that JOB FEARED GOD. Job 1:8 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”” (Job 1:8, NIV84)

3. Satan challenges JOB’S FEAR of GOE. Job 1:9 This is the source of Satan’s accusation. ““Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.” (Job 1:9, NIV84)

4. God repeats his analysis of Job in the second conflict with Satan in the throne room of heaven. Job 2:3 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”” (Job 2:3, NIV84)

5. Eliphaz (one of the friends that attempt to comfort Job) states that JOB FEARS GOD. Job 4:6 “Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” (Job 4:6, ESV)

6. In the climax of the accusations that the friends cast against Job, Eliphaz questions whether JOB FEARS GOD. Job 16:2. This is the most direct attack against Job’s character. Eliphaz says, “you do not fear God. “But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God.” (Job 15:4, ESV)

Notice Job’s strong reaction to Eliphaz’s comment. Job 16:2 ““I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all.” (Job 16:2, ESV)

What does it mean that Job “feared God?”

There is a broader meaning of the word “fear” than we normally use in English. In the Bible, the Fear of God corresponds to a person who conducts his or her life in reverent awe and acknowledgment of God.

JOB treasures his FEAR of GOD. In his final defense before his friends, Job talks about the way that he has tried to live his life. He does so with a series of scenarios that describe the things that would indeed make him worthy of God’s punishment, if God were in fact punishing him for sin. In this lengthy section of chapter 31, Job describes his life and the way that he lived in the fear of God.

Job 31:1. Job was a man that practiced Sexual purity. ““I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” (Job 31:1, NIV84)

Job 31:5. Job was a man of Honesty. ““If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit—” (Job 31:5, NIV84)

Job 31:9. Job was a man of Integrity - his inner life was whole. ““If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,” (Job 31:9, NIV84)

Job 31:13. Job was a man of Humility - he was approachable and admitted wrongs. ““If I have denied justice to my menservants and maidservants when they had a grievance against me,” (Job 31:13, NIV84)