Scripture Daily

Context No. 3984 of 4322 · Job

Context · Reflection

Job 1:1-5: in context

1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil. 2There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east. 4His sons went and held a feast in the house of each one on his birthday; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5It was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts.” Job did so continually.

Before the storms of suffering break over Job, we are shown the man he was: blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil, blessed with a large family and great wealth. But one detail reveals the heart of his godliness. After his grown children held their feasts, Job would rise early and offer sacrifices for each of them, saying, it may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. And this, we are told, he did continually.

Here is a father whose faith reached beyond himself to the souls of his children. Job could not control his adult children's hearts, but he could pray for them, and he did so regularly, faithfully, interceding for them before God. His concern was not merely for their happiness or success but for their standing with God. There is a beautiful example here of intercessory love, especially for a parent. We cannot make our loved ones' hearts right with God, but we can do what Job did: pray for them faithfully and continually, bringing their names before God who alone can reach their hearts.

Do I intercede regularly and faithfully for those I love, as Job did for his children, bringing their souls before God who alone can reach the heart, rather than only wishing them well?

Sources