Fatherhood for Such a Time as This
Job 1:1-5:
1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
2There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
3He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursedGod in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
Introduction: Bob the Builder!
Bob the Builder!
Can we fix it?
Bob the Builder!
Yes, we can!
We want to be known not only as a major fix-it guy or Mr. provider, but ultimately a model “discipler” or servant to our kids. And the best way to prepare our kids or family for “weightier things” is by fulfilling our godly responsibilities as Dads consistently in commun ion with God.
Our text today begins with the words, “There was a man.” Chapter 1 tells us remarka ble things about Job as a man and as a father.
I. A Man of Integrity (Job prizes personal integrity)
“…And that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” The significant thing that the writer tells us about job is that he is Godly. Notice that before the writer speaks of Job’s wealth, he speaks of Job’s character. Before we learn of what he has and what he does, we are told of what he is. Before we are told of his great
ness, we are told of his godliness.
♦ He was blameless – It does not mean that Job was “sinless,” for Job himself admits “the iniquities of my youth” (13:26) and my sin (14:16). The same Hebrew word is
1
used in Joshua 24:14 and it is rendered as “sincere.” Kent Hughes
described it as “personal integrity, not sinless perfection.”
♦ He was upright – If blamelessness focuses on authenticity (what is within), uprightness deals with how Job treats other people.
♦ He feared God (Trembling trust, a holy reverence and awe of his loftiness) – This speaks of his high view of God and his attitude of humility and affectionate rever ence before him. This also highlights the main theme of poetic/wisdom books, “fear of the Lord.” (See Job 28:28). John Murray views the “fear of the Lord” as the “soul of Godliness.”
♦ He turned away from evil – He is known not only for the godly attitudes that he adopts but also for the things that he avoids. Again, Kent Hughes beautifully stated it, “As he walked life’s path, he resolutely stayed on the straight and upright path and turned away from the crooked byways of sin. To turn away from sin is to re
pent.”
♦ Job was mentioned along with Noah and Daniel; “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it (the land), they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness” (Ezekiel 14:14, 20).
Conclusion: The man of integrity does what he does because he is what he is. He is known for his sincerity and single-hearted devotion. (Illustration: Ermine – Purity is more precious than life)
II. A Man of Intimacy (Job prioritizes intimacy with God)
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and wor shiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:20-21).
Such a righteous and reverent response to affliction is not born out of mere familiarity, but from a profound intimacy.
Job’s remarkable intimacy or divine friendship stems from truly knowing God. His knowledge of God goes beyond a superficial acquaintance and goes deeper than a surface level of understanding of God.
A. Job speaks rightly about God
B. Job sacrifices reverently to God
C. Job savors his relationship with God daily
Conclusion: (Ian Hamilton) “Fellowship with God is held out to us as the consummating fruit of the Gospel. Our Lord Jesus defined eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus
Christ whom he had sent (John 17:3), a knowing that is intimate as well as intellectual…” Know Christ and keep abiding in him.
III. A Man of Influence (Job Pays Attention to what his children really need)
Illustration: Little John
Little John was allowed to sit in his father's place at the dinner table one evening when his father was absent. His slightly older sister, resenting the arrangement, sneered at him and said, “So, you’re the father tonight, all right, if you’re smart then how much is 2 x 7?” Without a moment’s hesitation John responded by sitting up like his father and said, “I'm busy, ask your mother!” How well he had learned to be his father already!
“Train up a child in the way he should go – but be sure you go that way yourself.” – C.H. Spurgeon
A father has the potential to be a powerful force (influence) in the life of a child. What we say and do can leave an indelible impact in the lives of our children. We are all familiar with the saying, “like father, like son”
A. Intention - Influence is a matter of “intentionality” – He “would rise early in the morning” (Speaks of his eagerness, zeal and sense of urgency). He is committed to doing it and he is consistent in doing it. Job exemplifies godliness in a consistent fashion.
B. Intercession – Christian fathers can and do share in Christ’s priestly work by praying for their children. Job showed that he truly “fears the Lord” by earnestly and con stantly seeking the Lord’s grace for his children.
C. Investment - He offers sacrifices on behalf of his family – Job has integrity, he is not sure about his children. “There is something dark in human hearts and Job knows it. We are all by nature sinful and do not honor God as a God. Only a sacrifice can cov er such sin in the heart” (Kent Hughes).
There is harmony and happiness, but Job’s ultimate concern is their holiness. Job takes his responsibilities as a godly father seriously. To love and lead his children is not a mere “add on” to his family rhythms. It is something that stimulates and permeates every decision that he makes and action that he takes.
Conclusion:
1. It is not, “be like Job.” The best way to prepare your kids for life is helping them as early as possible to be enthralled with the beauty and majesty of our heavenly Father. Amaze them with God. Blow their minds with the glory of God. It is one thing to make Christ known to our kids, and it is another thing to model Christlike-
ness before them. Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin (Family Disciple ship, 35) underscored, “Discipling your child is not primarily your church’s job, your child’s school’s job, or your pastor’s job. This job is yours. This job is vital and requires your unique best. You are irre placeable in it…embrace God’s call on you as a dad to intentionally get in your kid’s life around their greatest need – their spiritual development.”
2. The heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Dads, our biggest problem is found inside our own hearts (Paul David Tripp).
3. Our hope as Dads rests in Christ alone, our priest par excellence.