Topical Bible: Family: Good: Job

◄ Family: Good: Job ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The biblical figure Job is often highlighted as an exemplar of righteousness, patience, and faithfulness, particularly in the context of family life. The Book of Job, found in the Old Testament, provides a detailed narrative of Job's life, his trials, and his steadfastness in faith, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of a godly family.

Job's Family Background

Job is introduced as a man of great wealth and piety, residing in the land of Uz. He is described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1). Job's family is depicted as prosperous and harmonious. He has seven sons and three daughters, and his children are known for their close relationships, often feasting together in each other's homes (Job 1:2-4).

Spiritual Leadership and Intercession

Job's role as the spiritual leader of his family is evident in his regular practice of intercession. Concerned for the spiritual well-being of his children, Job would rise early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for each of them, saying, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5). This practice underscores Job's deep commitment to the spiritual health of his family and his role as a priestly figure within the household.

Trials and Family Loss

The narrative of Job takes a dramatic turn when he faces severe trials, losing his wealth, health, and, most tragically, his children. Despite these profound losses, Job's response is one of worship and submission to God's sovereignty. He declares, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's unwavering faith amidst personal and familial suffering serves as a powerful testament to his character and trust in God.

Job's Wife

Job's wife, though mentioned briefly, plays a significant role in the narrative. In the midst of their suffering, she challenges Job's integrity, urging him to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9). Job's response to her reflects his steadfast faith: "You speak as a foolish woman speaks. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10). This interaction highlights the tension that can arise in familial relationships during times of crisis, yet also underscores Job's commitment to maintaining his integrity and faith.

Restoration and Blessing

The conclusion of Job's account is marked by restoration and blessing. After Job's faithfulness is tested, God restores his fortunes, granting him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). Job's family is also restored; he is blessed with seven more sons and three daughters, described as the most beautiful women in the land (Job 42:13-15). This restoration signifies God's favor and the enduring nature of His blessings upon those who remain faithful.

Legacy and Influence

Job's life and trials have left a lasting legacy, offering profound lessons on faith, perseverance, and the importance of spiritual leadership within the family. His account serves as an enduring example of how a godly family can navigate suffering and emerge with renewed faith and blessing. The narrative of Job continues to inspire believers to uphold righteousness and trust in God's providence, regardless of life's challenges.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 1:5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, 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 cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Great Duty of Family Religion
... had no concern, as governor of a family, with any ... cursed God in their hearts: thus
did Job continually." Nor can they plead the practice of good old Joshua ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of family.htm

Visitors and Pastimes
... with whom John and his father had spent several years came with his family for a ...
But John had done a good job in cutting them out, and the marking answered the ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter vi visitors and pastimes.htm

The Good Samaritan
... you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night." Job 31:32 ... Unless there is
practical self-sacrifice for the good of others, in the family circle, in ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 54 the good samaritan.htm

What Old Bill could not Do
... Another family lived in the home now. ... "Guess the parson must have it right,"
said one of them. "It was a pretty good job, too.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk eighteen what old bill.htm

Family Religion.
... the "service" of Joshua, in the "offerings" of Job, and in ... blush that you have not
begun this good work ... The great defect of family religion in the present day is ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iii family religion.htm

Job
... the swift contrast between the happy family upon the ... the similarity between the
dialectic temper in Job and Malachi ... Good men have not only raised the problem of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

Here Followeth the History of Job
... of oxen, five hundred asses, and his family and household ... Then Job said to her: Thou
hast spoken like a ... woman; if we have received and taken good things of the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the history of.htm

On Kindness and Its Several Parts, Namely, Good-Will and ...
... Perfect liberality is proved by its good faith, the case ... or false accusation of his
family, and thou ... Wherefore Job says beautifully: "Let the blessing of him ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx on kindness and.htm

Job --Groping
... case is not so deep and unfathomable to us as Job's case was ... Another in his evening
prayer in his family says this ... to us: we have forgotten Thee doing good to us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/vii jobgroping.htm

God's Family.
... was the cry of Moses and the cry of Job, the cry ... of it, the earth, at least, are
not good children; but ... is from being a true portion of a real family, the life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/gods family.htm