“…This man was blameless and upright…” – Job 1:1 (NIV)
Beloved, Job was a parent described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. We also know that he fathered seven sons and three daughters, was very wealthy, and owned large livestock consisting of seven thousand sheep, five hundred yokes of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. (Job 1:1-5).
It is important to note that his sons held feasts in their homes on their birthdays to celebrate. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning, he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, just in case his children sinned and cursed God in their hearts. (Job 1:4-5).
From the foregoing, we see that Job was a provider, for all his sons owned homes. We also learned that he made intercession for them by offering a burnt offering for each of them to atone for any possible sins that they may have committed against God during the period of celebration. As a husband of one wife and a father of ten children, Job understood his parental role as a spiritual Priest, provider, protector, and intercessor for his family. He feared God.
Job’s faithfulness caused satan to petition God twice to test Job’s loyalty to Him (God), first by removing the hedge of protection around him, his family, and his wealth, and second (after he passed the first test) to touch his skin. God granted both requests. (Job 1:10-12; 2:3-6). The devil orchestrated the obliteration of all his children, the destruction of all his wealth, and infected him with festering boils. Job’s reaction in Job 1:20-22 and 2:7-10 revealed that He did not sin against God in all his affliction.
Job’s wife even encouraged him to “Curse God and die” due to his immense suffering, but Job maintained his integrity and rebuked his wife for talking like someone foolish. Job understood that God is in control of both the good and the bad, and that He is ultimately superior over everything. He asked his wife an instructive question, “…Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”
Beloved, there is no record in Scripture of Mrs. Job chastising her husband when they lost their children, their homes, and their livestock; however, it was recorded that she spoke when she saw her husband afflicted with festering boils, but still worshipping God.
Research has revealed that when a woman loses a child, it is an incredibly traumatic experience, and the grief is often described as all-encompassing and indescribable. Many women experience a range of intense emotions, including profound sadness, shock, denial, guilt, anger, and fear of going crazy. Mrs. Job’s trauma was multiplied by ten.
Given the foregoing, let’s all ask for forgiveness for negatively judging Mrs. Job’s outbursts and thank her husband for his faithfulness and leadership of his family. We have a template!
Read: Job 2:13; Romans 8:18
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 103:13-22; 2 Corinthians 1:12-22; 2 Chronicles 29; 2 Chronicles 30; 2 Chronicles 31:1