Job did regularly

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify 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 sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly. – Job 1v5

Chapter one of Job is packed with lessons based in Job’s character. Job was dedicated to his family. He was a spiritual leader. He was consistent and faithful in his service to the Lord.

Every time I read through this book I like Job more. And every time I read it I am more and more challenged by my own life.

As far as Job knew his family was okay. However, he was concerned that they might be harbouring sin in their hearts. He felt responsible for his family’s spiritual condition so he offered sacrifices on their behalf just in case.

Let’s remember the situation. Job knew nothing about the word of God like we do. He knew that God was holy and that sin was wicked so he did all he could to protect his family. I guess the closest thing that we can relate to this would be our responsibility to pray for our families.

It is not a matter to be taken lightly. Interceding for our families is a vital responsibility. The Bible seems to make it clear that it is the special responsibility of fathers.

Our family is the one group that we can too easily take for granted. If we are not careful we tend to only pray during crisis times or when things get really bad.

Look at the last part of the verse – ‘Thus did Job regularly.’ I think this is the most important lesson of all. It is vital that we, especially we fathers, have a responsibility to regularly pray for our family. This doesn’t stop when our kids grow up and leave home. In fact, I find that that is when the responsibility increases. When our kids are young we have some measure of control. We can make them do the right thing. They come to church because that is what we do and they really have no other choice.

But when they get to be adults and go out on their own we don’t have that anymore. They make their own choices. Even when we see them making mistakes we really can’t do anything more than offer advice.

And pray. That is one thing we can always do. We can always intercede for them. We can do this regularly like Job did.