With Friends Like These . . . Job’s Friends and Religious Foolishness (√The Prologue: Chs. 1-3, Part 1)

As we saw from our outline of the book of Job on December 5, we want to deal with what is called “The Prologue” (Chs. 1-3) to the book. We want to cover these chapters slowly and carefully, doing our best not to overlook any of the critical truths which are given to us here.

I. Job’s Character (1:1-5)
As we discussed earlier, Job is presented to us as a real historical person who lived in a specific place, was marked by a godly character, and had a large family. (vv. 1-2). He was quite wealthy as shown by the number of his livestock and his large number of servants. It is not surprising that he is described as “the greatest man among all the people of the East.” (v. 3).

Job’s godliness was no private matter. He cared deeply for his family and was concerned that they would wholeheartedly follow the Lord. Holding birthday feasts was a common, perhaps almost weekly or monthly, occasion. These ten children would indulge in a period of feasting which brought with it the possibility of committing the sin of cursing God. It was hardly likely that any of Job’s children would publicly curse God, but Job’s concern was for their internal character. So he would make arrangements for them to be purified.

Although we don’t know the details of those purification ceremonies, we are told that early in the morning Job would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them (that’s ten sheep that had to be slaughtered and offered to the Lord). And we are actually told what Job was thinking as he made these sacrifices. He thought to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” (v. 5). Job’s actions in offering sacrifices for his children were for the sheer possibility that they had dishonored the Lord! And we are informed that this was Job’s regular custom. His holy habit was to intercede for his ten children just in case they had cursed God in their hearts.

 

 

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Being Cool)

 

Bless-ed! 52 Blessings You Have As a Believer! (Blessing #18)

BLESSING #18: The Blessing of a Plan for Intentional Parenting
“If it weren’t for families, we’d have to fight with strangers!” (anonymous)

There are so many blessings in knowing Christ, right? Not just salvation. As I pray for and reflect on my friendship with Mike, I’m becoming more aware of what I have in knowing Christ. And I wish the same for every believer!

It bugs me that many Christians don’t understand the multi-faceted instruction book that they have in the Bible, God’s Word! Scripture not only tells how to get saved, but how to live. And one major area of life is . . . parenting.

THE BLESSING Many Christian parents, I would suggest, haven’t really dug into the Bible to see what it says about being a godly husband, a loving wife, obedient and joyful children, etc. So I would remind Jesus followers that —

18. WE HAVE A PLAN FOR INTENTIONAL PARENTING!

Some of my unsaved friends appear to be great fathers and mothers. But, can we talk? That’s only because they are borrowing parenting skills from Christianity — and probably don’t even know it. Others of my friends aren’t loving their spouses as they should, are allowing their children to have whatever they want whenever they want it, and seem to be investing zero minutes in training their children in godliness.

THE BIBLE Such must not be the family situation of the follower of Jesus. The Bible gives us clear guidance on: (1) being a godly husband (Eph. 5:23-33; Titus 1:6); (2) being a loving and supportive wife (Eph. 5:22); and (3) having obedient, believing children (Titus 1:6; I Tim. 3:4). God’s Word provides us clear instructions on caring for the elderly (Lev. 19:32; I Tim. 5:1; I Pe. 5:5; Is. 46:4) and widows (I Tim. 5). Sadly Scripture presents us with case studies of families that fell apart. We have also the encouraging story of Job who sacrificed and prayed daily for his children (Job 1:1-5).

One of my unsaved friends is making some poor choices in his family. He loves his daughter much more than his wife. He doesn’t feel he is respected by either. He simply doesn’t have the foundation to be the spiritual leader in his family. And, sadly, I don’t think their marriage is going to make it.

However, good news! This friend is thinking about having a Bible study with me on the gospel of John! Pray that he will come to Christ and become the husband and father God wants him to be.

ACTION STEPS 1. Pick one set of Scriptures listed above (“The Bible gives us clear guidance on . . .”) and write out an action plan of obeying what God’s Word says. Share your plan with another believer this week who can pray for you and ask you how you are doing.
2. Invite a couple from your church (whose family you admire) for lunch and interview them sometime this week on what practices have been most helpful to them in their family.
3. Read a book like Dennis & Barbara Rainey’s Growing a Spiritually Strong Family with your spouse and pray together about what you learn.
PRAYER 4. Take steps to open your home to your unsaved friends so they can observe some of what you intentionally practice in your family. Invite them to a game night or a movie night. (570 words)

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Trials)

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Attraction)

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Obligations)

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Family)

 

Bless-ed! 52 Blessings Your Lost Friend Doesn’t Have . . . And What You Can Do About It! (Part 17)

There are so many blessings in knowing Christ, right? Not just salvation. As I pray for and reflect on my friendship with Mike, I’m becoming more aware of what I have in knowing Christ. And I wish the same for every believer!

It bugs me that many Christians don’t understand the multi-faceted instruction book that they have in the Bible, God’s Word! Scripture not only tells how to get saved, but how to live. And one major area of life is . . . parenting.

Many Christian parents, I would suggest, haven’t really dug into the Bible to see what it says about being a godly husband, a loving wife, obedient and joyful children, etc. So I would suggest that my lost friends —

17. THEY DON’T HAVE A PLAN FOR INTENTIONAL PARENTING!

Some of my unsaved friends appear to be great fathers and mothers. But, can we talk? That’s only because they are borrowing parenting skills from Christianity — and probably don’t know it. Others of my friends aren’t loving their spouse as they should, allow their children to have whatever they want whenever they want it, and invest zero minutes in training their children in godliness.

Such must not be the family situation of the follower of Jesus. The Bible gives us clear guidance on: (1) being a a godly husband (Eph. 5:23-33; Titus 1:6); (2) being a loving and supportive wife (Eph. 5:22); and (3) having obedient believing children (Titus 1:6; I Tim. 3:4). God’s Word provides us clear instructions on caring for the elderly (Lev. 19:32; I Tim. 5:1; I Pe. 5:5; Is. 46:4) and widows (I Tim. 5). Scripture presents us with case studies of families that fell apart. We have also the story of Job who sacrificed and prayed daily for his children (Job 1:1-5).

One of my unsaved friends is making some poor choices in his family. He loves his daughter much more than his wife. He doesn’t feel he is respected by either. He simply doesn’t have the foundation to be the spiritual leader in his family. And, sadly, I don’t think their marriage is going to make it.

However, good news! This friend has agreed to have a Bible study with me on the gospel of John! Pray that he will come to Christ and become the husband and father God wants him to be.

So, how do I pray for my unsaved friend? I show by my own example the truths about intentional parenting that God’s Word provides. And I pray for him that he will turn to the Lord and His Word for wisdom. (to be continued)

 

 

 

Family Drama! (A Great Super Bowl Commercial)

 

A Great Geico Commercial: “We have aunts!”