Job 1:5

Job was such a good man that he continually made intercession for his children and his family (Job 1:2). From this patriarch Job we learn the lesson that our religion should indeed be evangelistic, reaching out to the community at large. However, as much as we are commissioned to reach the territories and communities beyond, we must also never forget home.

It was his great concern and fear that his sons and daughters may have sinned and cursed God in their hearts while feasting and merry making. Here it is conspicuously affirmed that Job’s religion extended to his family. He first practiced home religion. He wanted his children to know that he feared God and that in his house and life, God came first. Despite all the wealth and riches with which he was blessed Job never forgot devotion and putting God first. For Job it was never so much about the gifts as it was about the Giver. This god-fearing man never got it twisted. Nothing was allowed to upend his relationship with the Almighty.

Job wasn’t just a God-fearing man in public, but he took it home. His children heard him pray. They saw him in service, offering up sacrifices to the Holy One. Our children ought to hear us pray and worship. He unfailingly revered God in their midst. He did not confuse them. You did not have a church Job and at home Job. There were no inconsistencies and discrepancies there. He was not one thing in church and something else at home. Job consistently feared God. He was a man of integrity. What he did outside was also borne out in close quarters. How important it is for us to live what we preach so that those who are closest to us can bear witness to the fact that we are truly indeed who we claim to be.

When we fear God, truly fear God, we live right at home and maybe especially at home. I find it most impressive that after all of Job’s sons would have had their special occasions of feasting, that Job would send and have them purified. As father of his household, he never abdicated his role as priest of his family. He made them ceremonially clean in preparation for the sacrifices he offered for them. He consecrated them to the Lord. In fact,the Scriptures reveal that he rose up early in the morning and offered up burnt offerings according to the number of them all (Job 1:5)

Brethren, especially in these apocalyptic times of the now, may we never forget to earnestly, intensely pray for our children. We sincerely pray that they will never forget God and the righteous way in which we have attempted to lead them. The enemy of our souls earnestly desires not just to strike us down and out, but he viciously attempts to inflict the worst destruction and devastation upon our children. Like Job we daily intercede and go into spiritual warfare on their behalf. We daily commit and commend the safety and salvation of their souls to our Almighty Savior and Redeemer. We will never stop praying for the eternal wellbeing of our sons and daughters! Our religion extends not just to the regions beyond but begins at home.