Those are words that Jehovah spoke to Satan (Job 1:8). God went on to tell him that Job was a unique, complete, and upright man who feared God and shunned evil. That is quite a commendation from the One who knows every single thing there is to know about a person.
Most Bible students are quite familiar with the tragic circumstances that beset Job and his family. Job’s steadfastness and patience have been renowned worldwide throughout the ages. But here are three important things about Job as a father, and these things are seen before his children and livestock were taken from him.
As a father, Job showed his children that his first devotion was to God Almighty, not material things. Possessing great flocks and herds of livestock helped make Job “the greatest of all the people of the East” (Job 1:3). Yet, the Lord still referred to Job as “My servant” (Job 1:8). Job did not allow his stuff to crowd out, hinder, or diminish his devotion to the God of heaven. Dads, what do your children see as your number one commitment: stuff, or God? Believe me, they can tell what is number one!
As a father, Job recognized that his children made mistakes. Job offered burnt offerings on behalf of his grown children, saying, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts” (Job 1:5). There are some fathers who never seem to have anything good to say about their children, and they seldom, if ever, give them support and positive exhortation. On the other hand, some dads are blind. They are convinced that “little Mary” and “Billy, Jr.” could never do anything wrong. Their children would never be deceptive, selfish, or disrespectful. There are many great children in the world, but no one is perfect. Dads need to accept the truth that all sin (Romans 3:23). Job admitted that about his own children.
As a father, Job showed his concern for the spiritual welfare of his children. It was on their behalf that he rose up early and offered burnt offerings to God. It makes an impression on a child to see his daddy doing something for his spiritual benefit. There is more to being a dad than putting food on the table and showing a child how to hit, throw, or kick a ball. The number one task of fathers is to bring up their children in the Lord’s nurture and admonition (Ephesians 6:4).
We will always remember Job’s endurance, but we should never forget what the Bible shows us about Job as a father.
