Job 1:4 - Meaning and Application

Here we see more of Job’s prosperity and more of his piety. His children brought him great comfort, and that was part of his earthly blessing. Our outward comforts are often tied to other people, and they rise or fall with the condition of those around us. Job himself later said that one of the greatest joys of his happy life was having his children around him (Job 29:5).

They held a round of feasts at set times, each one in his own house (Job 1:4). This was a comfort to Job for several reasons. First, his children were grown and settled in life. Each son had his own house, likely his own family too, and Job had already given them enough to begin life well. Those who once sat like young olive shoots around his table now had tables of their own.

Second, he saw them prospering. They were able to entertain one another, not just provide for themselves. Good parents want their children to do well, work well, and enjoy honest success, and they rejoice in it as if it were their own. Third, he saw them healthy. Illness in any one of their homes would have ruined the feasting and turned joy into grief.

Most of all, he was glad to see them living in peace and affection. There were no quarrels, no coldness, no selfishness, and no distance among them. They seemed to share their lives freely, even though each one had his own household. It is a beautiful and comforting thing when brothers are joined together in this way (Psalm 133:1).

It also comforted Job that the brothers were so kind to their sisters that they sent for them to join the feast. The sisters were modest enough not to come unless invited. Brothers who ignore their sisters and do not care for their company or happiness are badly behaved and unlike Job’s sons. Their feasts seem to have been sober and decent, since their sisters could join without shame.

They held these feasts in their own houses, not in public places, where they would face more temptations and bring less honor. We are not told that Job joined them. No doubt they invited him, and he would have been welcome at any of their tables. But he was old and no longer drawn to such things, like Barzillai, who was too old for courtly pleasures (2 Samuel 19:35). He likely thought the young people would be freer and happier if they were by themselves. Even so, he did not forbid them what he denied himself. Young people may have some youthful freedom, as long as they avoid youthful lusts.

Job’s care for his children also shows his piety. A person’s true character is shown in how he acts toward those closest to him. Those who are truly good will seek the good of their children, especially the good of their souls. Job was cautious about their spiritual welfare. He knew that even good children may sin, especially in times of comfort and celebration.

He thought, “It may be that my sons have sinned during their feasting, more than at other times. They may have been too merry, taken too much liberty in eating and drinking, and cursed God in their hearts.” That means they may have carried ungodly or irreverent thoughts in their minds, thinking wrongly about God, his providence, and worship. When people are full and comfortable, they are easily drawn to forget God and to think that their own strength has earned them their wealth (Proverbs 30:9; Deuteronomy 8:12). Nothing pulls the heart away from God more than giving way to bodily pleasure.

As soon as the days of feasting were over, Job called his children to solemn worship. He did not interrupt their feast, because there is a proper time for everything. But once the feasting ended, he reminded them that they must know when to stop and not expect a life of constant pleasure. Even if they had feasting all week, they could not have it all year. They had other duties to attend to.

He also sent for them to prepare for worship. He told them to examine themselves and repent of anything they had done wrong during their feasting. They were to set aside vanity and get their hearts ready for religious duties. In this way he kept his authority over them for their good, and they submitted to him even though they had their own houses. He still acted as the priest of the family, and they all came to his altar, valuing his prayers more than his property. Parents cannot give grace to their children, since God alone makes them holy, but they should still use wise warnings and loving counsel to help guide them toward holiness. In baptism, children are set apart for God, and it should be our aim that they truly belong to him in life as well.

Job also offered sacrifices for them. He did this to deal with any sins they might have committed during their feasting, and to ask God for mercy to forgive them and grace to keep their minds and conduct from being spoiled by the freedom they had enjoyed. He wanted their piety and purity to be preserved. Like Abraham, he had an altar for his family, and likely offered sacrifice daily. But on this special occasion, he offered extra sacrifices, one for each child, according to their number. Parents should pray especially and specifically for each child, according to that child’s temper, gifts, and situation. Their prayers should fit their children, just as their efforts should.

When these sacrifices were to be made, Job rose early, eager that his children should not remain under guilt any longer than necessary and showing that his heart was set on this duty. He also required his children to attend the sacrifice, so they could join in the prayers and be deeply moved by what they saw. The killing of the sacrifice would humble them, since their sins deserved death, and the offering of it up would point them to a Mediator, one who stands between God and sinners. This serious worship would help bring them back to sobriety after their days of joy.

Job did this continually, not only when a special situation came up. A person who has been washed still needs to wash his feet (John 13:10).

Acts of repentance and faith must be renewed often, because we keep falling into sin again. Job was steady in his worship. Every day, he offered his sacrifices, stayed faithful in his devotions, and did not leave them out on any day.

Occasional acts of religion do not excuse us from regular ones. A person who serves God sincerely will serve him continually.