Note: I have studied sermons and devotions on this topic. So I have gleaned from the studies.
Title: Lessons from Job and Parenting
Theme:
Text: Job 1:1 – 5
Opening Scripture
Job 1:1-5 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (2) And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. (3) Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. (4) And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. (5) So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed [1] God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.
Introduction
Job “blameless and upright” “perfect and upright” “honest inside and out, a man of his word” “
Pro 13:6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Psa_26:11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me.
Psa_41:12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever.
Psa_78:72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Pro_10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Pro_11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Pro_19:1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Pro_20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Pro_28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Tit_2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 9
Blameless – perfect. Not that he never sinned but that he knew how to repent to God.
Upright – a man of integrity. He knew what was right to do and he did it. He was not a hypocrite.
“feared God” “totally devoted to God”
“shunned evil” “totally hated evil”
This must have been characteristics that stood out among the people. It was a highlight to the book and kind of frames the story.
He was rich. He did not let his riches pull him away from God. He depended on God first.
“the greatest man (most influential man) of all the east”
Job’s relationship with God was not private
Job would send for his children
Deut 6:4-7 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! [11] (5) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (6) "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. (7) You shall teach them diligently
- Original: ???? - Transliteration: Shanan - Phonetic: shaw-nan'
- Definition:
1. to sharpen, whet a. (Qal) to whet, sharpen b. (Piel) to sharpen, teach (incisively) c. (Hithpolel) to be pierced
- Strong's: A primitive root; to point (transitively or intransitively); intensively to pierce; figuratively to inculcate: - prick sharp (-en) teach diligently whet.
Total KJV Occurrences: 9
• diligently, 1 Deu_6:7
• pricked, 1 Psa_73:21
• sharp, 4 Psa_45:5; Psa_120:4; Pro_25:18; Isa_5:28
• sharpened, 1 Psa_140:3
• whet, 2 Deu_32:41; Psa_64:3
to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
We often run to Job and talk about patience. Suffering. God working behind the scene. We rarely run to Job for parenting advice.
Job was “a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.” On two other occasions, God uses the same language to describes Job (1:8; 2:3).
Oh, how I long to be a man of complete integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil! I long for the Lord to describe me in this way!
Job as a Parent
I. Knew where His children were
Had a relationship with them
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: (3) "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." (4) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
II. Acknowledge that they are fallen creatures (sinners)
“for all have sin and fallen short”
He was not making excuse for them. He was recognizing that they are fallen.
III. Prayed for His children
A. Overall
B. Individually
C. Often
IV. Offered sacrifice for His children
What does this mean today? We are willing to put things aside things for our self to give to our children. This is more than physical but willing to attend church and be a part of our children’s lives.
Conclusion
God has called father’s and men to be like Job. Job was a patriarch for his family.
