This is my first post on this site. My intention is to keep a log of things I learn and discover while listening to sermons on Sunday, reading passages in my Bible, and doing personal studies as a result of the first two activities. I also want to record what God shows me as I walk through these studies.
My first postings will deal with Job because of some sermons from awhile back.
I know, Job, what a poor man. That's what some people think about him. God allowed the Satan to test him, his friends blamed him for his suffering, and even Job seemed to wonder why things were working out so poorly for him. But is that really who this man was? And was he really poor? My answer to both is no.
First of all, here is who he wasn't. He was not a poor soul who had the worst luck in the world. He was not a man who God threw to the wolves (Satan in this case). He was neither of these.
Instead, Job was a husband; he had a wife. He was also a father; he had seven sons and three daughters. He was a land owner with large flocks: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants (Job 1:1-3). Verse 3 also says Job was the greatest man in the east, showing his high status.
Job 1:4-5 also shows us that Job was the priest in his family as well as a good and proper father. The verses tell us that his sons took turns hosting feasts to which they invited their sisters, and after the feasting had ended, Job would sanctify them by offering up burnt offerings one for each of them as was required. He did this because he thought that they might have offended God without realizing while they were feasting. So, doing a father's proper duty, he prayed for his children, he sought forgiveness for them in case they might have accidentally sinned against God, and he did what he needed to do to obtain sanctification and forgiveness for them.
Isn't this what all father's should still be doing for their children? It should be noted that Job's children where not living at home for the Bible says his sons had the feasts each at their own home. This shows us all, as parents, that just because our children are grown and have gone out on their own that we should not stop praying for them. The fact that Job watched what his children did and showed his concern for them by praying and making sacrifices shows that we too should watch over our children even after they leave home. In fact, they may need our prayers more after leaving home than while in our homes because after leaving they are more reachable by the world.
I hope no parent assumes that once their children leave home that they are no longer responsible for them. God entrusted them to our care, and the care remains as long as they and we are still alive. It is still our duty as parents to continue praying for them, just as Job did for his children, just encase they "sinned and cursed God in their hearts" while they are feasting in the world (Job 1:5). It should also be noted that the Bible says Job did this continually meaning he did not stop and neither should we.
My first postings will deal with Job because of some sermons from awhile back.
I know, Job, what a poor man. That's what some people think about him. God allowed the Satan to test him, his friends blamed him for his suffering, and even Job seemed to wonder why things were working out so poorly for him. But is that really who this man was? And was he really poor? My answer to both is no.
First of all, here is who he wasn't. He was not a poor soul who had the worst luck in the world. He was not a man who God threw to the wolves (Satan in this case). He was neither of these.
Instead, Job was a husband; he had a wife. He was also a father; he had seven sons and three daughters. He was a land owner with large flocks: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants (Job 1:1-3). Verse 3 also says Job was the greatest man in the east, showing his high status.
Job 1:4-5 also shows us that Job was the priest in his family as well as a good and proper father. The verses tell us that his sons took turns hosting feasts to which they invited their sisters, and after the feasting had ended, Job would sanctify them by offering up burnt offerings one for each of them as was required. He did this because he thought that they might have offended God without realizing while they were feasting. So, doing a father's proper duty, he prayed for his children, he sought forgiveness for them in case they might have accidentally sinned against God, and he did what he needed to do to obtain sanctification and forgiveness for them.
Isn't this what all father's should still be doing for their children? It should be noted that Job's children where not living at home for the Bible says his sons had the feasts each at their own home. This shows us all, as parents, that just because our children are grown and have gone out on their own that we should not stop praying for them. The fact that Job watched what his children did and showed his concern for them by praying and making sacrifices shows that we too should watch over our children even after they leave home. In fact, they may need our prayers more after leaving home than while in our homes because after leaving they are more reachable by the world.
I hope no parent assumes that once their children leave home that they are no longer responsible for them. God entrusted them to our care, and the care remains as long as they and we are still alive. It is still our duty as parents to continue praying for them, just as Job did for his children, just encase they "sinned and cursed God in their hearts" while they are feasting in the world (Job 1:5). It should also be noted that the Bible says Job did this continually meaning he did not stop and neither should we.
