Families: Good: Job
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The biblical account of Job presents a profound example of a family that exemplifies righteousness, resilience, and faithfulness amidst severe trials. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright," is a central figure in the Old Testament, and his account is primarily found in the Book of Job. His life and family dynamics offer valuable insights into the characteristics of a godly family.

Job's Righteousness and Family Leadership

Job is introduced as a man of great integrity and faith. The Berean Standard Bible describes him as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1). Job's commitment to righteousness extends to his role as the head of his family. He is depicted as a devoted father who takes spiritual responsibility for his children. Job regularly offers burnt offerings on behalf of his children, saying, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5). This practice underscores his deep concern for their spiritual well-being and his desire to maintain a household that honors God.

Family Prosperity and Unity

Job's family is initially portrayed as prosperous and harmonious. He is blessed with seven sons and three daughters, and his wealth is described in terms of livestock and servants, making him "the greatest man of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3). The family enjoys regular gatherings, as the sons take turns hosting feasts in their homes, inviting their sisters to join them (Job 1:4). This practice indicates a close-knit family that values fellowship and unity.

Trials and Faithfulness

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Job faces severe trials. Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, resulting in the loss of his children, wealth, and health. Despite these devastating losses, Job's response is one of remarkable faith. He declares, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's unwavering trust in God, even in the face of unimaginable suffering, serves as a testament to his steadfast faith and the spiritual foundation he has laid for his family.

Restoration and Blessing

After enduring intense trials and maintaining his integrity, Job's fortunes are restored by God. The LORD blesses the latter part of Job's life more than the former, granting him additional children and doubling his previous wealth (Job 42:12-13). Job's daughters are noted for their beauty, and he grants them an inheritance alongside their brothers, which was uncommon in the cultural context of the time (Job 42:15). This act reflects Job's fairness and the value he places on all his children.

Legacy of Faith

Job's account concludes with a picture of a family that, despite experiencing profound suffering, emerges with a renewed sense of blessing and purpose. Job lives to see his descendants to the fourth generation, a sign of God's favor and the enduring legacy of his faith (Job 42:16). The account of Job and his family serves as an enduring example of how faith, integrity, and perseverance can sustain a family through the most challenging circumstances, ultimately leading to restoration and blessing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

2 Kings iv. 25, 26.
... that affectionate Care for the Persons and Families of their ... imported the Destruction
of his Children, Good is the ... he hath spoken[s]; or that of Job, when he ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/2 kings iv 25 26.htm

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... not, have been carried by many of you into your families and your ... with observation
and attention"will hear for themselves and so hear for their good. Job 5:27 ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

The Great Duty of Family Religion
... Nor can they plead the practice of good old Joshua ... the Gentile centurion, they would
act as Job, Joshua, and ... the case, and all governors of families ought not ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of family.htm

The Silence of Faith.
... absolute sovereignty which we found in the book of Job. ... lives, not only of individuals,
nor of families, but of ... let Him do what seemeth Him good;""certain of ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxv the silence of.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... and turn unto the Lord, and all the families of the ... law of nature, Enos, Enoch, Noah,
Melchizedek, Job, and if ... the same sort." [3221] Then it seemed good to us ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

The Ten Lepers
... found themselves cured, restored to their families, their homes ... to teach us"from
whom all good things come ... we may learn it; and, like righteous Job, justify God ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxviii the ten lepers.htm

The Justice of God
... You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore ... is good in the
first table who is not good in the ... justice) as a robe and a diadem.' Job 29:14 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
... And its answer is good and sure, because it dips the ... nations, and the Desire of all
the families of the ... my iniquities compass me about;" and with Job, "If he ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii now the end.htm

Trials of the Christian
... It was this that made Job and Peter so famous; and the want of it took away much
of the ... If it was a good duty to exhort our families, it is good to exhort ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xiv trials of the christian.htm

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You ...
... I see the ragged edge of things a good deal. ... Most of them have families. ... My little
girl is staying with a printer's family until I find a job. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter one for hereunto were.htm

Resources
What are the Quiverfull and Patriarchy movements? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong for a Christian family to put a loved one into a nursing home? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about family? | GotQuestions.org

Families: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Families

Families and Work

Families Broken

Families of Saints Blessed

Families: Deceivers and Liars should be Removed From

Families: Good: Abraham

Families: Good: Cornelius

Families: Good: Crispus

Families: Good: David

Families: Good: Jacob

Families: Good: Jailor of Philippi

Families: Good: Job

Families: Good: Joshua

Families: Good: Lazarus of Bethany

Families: Good: Lois

Families: Good: Lydia

Families: Punishment of Irreligious

Families: should be Duly Regulated

Families: should be Taught the Scriptures

Families: should Live in Mutual Forbearance

Families: should Live in Unity

Families: should Rejoice Together Before God

Families: should Worship God Together

Families: Warning Against Departing from God

Related Terms

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Genealogical (26 Occurrences)

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Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Registration (17 Occurrences)

Military (44 Occurrences)

Births (34 Occurrences)

Records (50 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Gershonite (14 Occurrences)

Gershon (23 Occurrences)

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Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)

Merarite (8 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Warriors (75 Occurrences)

Allotted (54 Occurrences)

Grouped (7 Occurrences)

Thirteen (16 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Grass-lands (42 Occurrences)

Encamped (115 Occurrences)

Mahli (11 Occurrences)

Mushi (8 Occurrences)

Shuhamites (2 Occurrences)

Shuhamite (2 Occurrences)

Shu'hamites (2 Occurrences)

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)

Villages (106 Occurrences)

Counted (122 Occurrences)

Threescore (87 Occurrences)

Peoples (305 Occurrences)

Distribution (32 Occurrences)

Issachar (40 Occurrences)

Twenty (282 Occurrences)

Zorathites (2 Occurrences)

Belonged (105 Occurrences)

Generation (150 Occurrences)

Forty-five (15 Occurrences)

Territories (12 Occurrences)

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)

Makir (17 Occurrences)

Merar'ite (2 Occurrences)

Merarites (7 Occurrences)

Machir (20 Occurrences)

Polls (5 Occurrences)

Census (24 Occurrences)

Alliance (12 Occurrences)

Abiezer (7 Occurrences)

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)

Southward (42 Occurrences)

Simeonites (10 Occurrences)

Shuham (1 Occurrence)

Westward (35 Occurrences)

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)

Sum (34 Occurrences)

Pasture (120 Occurrences)

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)

Asher (43 Occurrences)

Record (71 Occurrences)

Encamp (108 Occurrences)

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

Sixty (70 Occurrences)

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Boundary (83 Occurrences)

Several (40 Occurrences)

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Pitch (25 Occurrences)

Rome (12 Occurrences)

Korahites (7 Occurrences)

Generations (148 Occurrences)

Forty (142 Occurrences)

Simeon (48 Occurrences)

Males (51 Occurrences)

Spread (257 Occurrences)

Families: Good: Jailor of Philippi
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