Becoming of Age

Photo by Samantha Sophia

To be honest, the book of Job is not my favorite. Though the narrative of restoration is always encouraging to read when you are low in spirit, I cannot fathom the utter devastation Job must have felt on that day of absolute calamity. The heart-wrenching events that unfold in a short amount of time would overwhelm and likely destroy the faint of heart. The Bible tells us Job feared the Lord; he was upright and blameless before the Father. The Amplified translation tells us Job “abstained and shunned evil” because it was wrong. Typically, when one writes or speaks about Job, this is the message that translates. Job was undeserving of all he encountered on that horrible day. He was not only restored but he was given back greater than what was lost. Recently, I saw something I had never really paid attention to before.

In the first chapter, we learn Job was the father of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. As was the custom during this time, the sons would go to the house of each one on his birthday. The sisters were also invited to his home to eat and drink.  When the days of merrymaking ended, Job would send for this incorrigible crew to “purify them.” According to scripture, he would rise early in the morning and present burnt offerings to God for each of them in case they had sinned against God in their hearts. Later we read that during yet another birthday bash, a great whirlwind from the desert hit the house causing it to collapse on top of them. All seven children died.

What struck me about this part of the story was after all the revelry ended, Job prepared sacrifices for his kids to sanctify them in God’s sight. The Bible does not tell us how many times he did this, but we can guess at least seven times a year. I cannot recall reading of a birthday feast for daughters. (The unfairness is simply unacceptable to my oldest girl.) However, Job did offer up sacrifices for all ten children. Even so, all ten died while entertaining themselves with food and drink. The burnt offerings on behalf of his offspring did not save them from destruction. Not one was spared.

Romans 6:23 tells us, “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Now, we know because of the transgression of Adam and Eve, humanity is not immortal. Putting that physical death aside in this case and as with Job’s children, death comes in many ways. Death to peace, death to joy, death of dreams, death of initiative, death of businesses, death of prosperity, and so on. Jeremiah wrote in 4:22 the words of our Father, “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”

I grew up in a Christian home with the values and principles of living a life pleasing to the Lord. We went to every church service and participated in all the things. As a young person, I truly thought I had a relationship with Jesus, that I knew Him for myself. When my foundation was shaken and the house fell on top of me, figuratively speaking, I was destroyed. My parents’ prayers did not prevent the annihilation that ensued because of my disobedience. Was I protected from a natural death? Many, many times. However, my destruction came from stepping out from under the umbrella of covenant with Jesus.

Children raised in Christian homes often believe the prayers of their parents will save them from reaping the harvest of seeds they have sown in sin. This simply is not true. When we become of age and we know to “refuse evil and choose good,” but do otherwise, we are held to account, not our parents. (Isaiah 7:15)

In the case of Job’s kids, I find it hard to believe they were not taught the ways of the Lord. Their father was blameless in God’s sight. Scripture tells us he sent for his children when the time came to offer sacrifices. He did this in their presence. He lived a life of holiness in front of them. My parents interceded on my behalf just as Job did and as I do for my girls. They strived to live a life acceptable to the Lord just as I do. There comes a time, though, that we each must consecrate ourselves before the Lord and enter into relationship with Him. Grandpa cannot do it for us, Mama cannot do it for us, our spouse cannot do it for us. Jesus was the sacrifice given for our atonement and we must make ourselves ready for the work of the Father so we may fulfill our purpose here in the earth.

James 4:14-17, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise, you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”