According to one study, “24 million children (34 %) live absent from their biological father.  1.35 million births (33 % of all births) occurred out of wedlock.  Over 3.3 million children live with an unmarried parent and the parent’s cohabitating partner.  The number of cohabitating couples with children has nearly doubled since 1990 from  891,000 to 1.7 million today” (The picture here is an artist’s conception of Job with his children when all was restored). 

Also according to this study, “the best predictor of father presence is marital status.  Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.  Studies on parent-child relationships and child well-being show that father ‘s love is an important factor in predicting the social, emotional, and cognitive development and functioning of children and young adults” (NRFC).

As this study indicates, it is vital that fathers spend good quality time with their children.  There are several men in Scripture who set forth exemplary examples of what a real father is all about.  If one had a top ten biblical lists of fathers, Job would certainly be one of those at the top.  Note the following admirable traits of Job as a father:

Command

Job was a leader in his home.  As such he possessed noble leadership qualities needed of fathers.  Job was not one who would say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  His children had a father of noble character (Job 1:1; Job 29).  Job’s own life provided a good moral and righteousness standard that if followed would lead them on the right path.

Like Abraham (Genesis 18:19), Job appears to have been one that would have commanded his household after him.  From what very little is known about his children (Job 1:2: Job 1:3-4; Job 1:13), they appear to have been in subjection to their father (Job 1:5).  Also, with what little information is given about the interaction between Job and his wife, it seems that he was the proper head of his home.   Certainly, a wise husband should listen to a good and godly wife.  But Job would not allow his wife to do that which was wrong.

Conscientious

Job was conscientious or aware of the influence of evil. Chapter one opens up by describing him as one who “eschews evil.”  In other words he was one who was well aware of the dangers and influences of evil.  When it was present, he recoiled from it and did not allow it in his presence. 

His children appear to be grown when the events in chapter one takes place.  His sons have their own houses.  Birthdays were times when his children came together to celebrate.  From the text, these seemed to have been rather innocent, harmless family events.  There is nothing to indicate there was anything impure about them.  Yet, Job was not naïve of the way evil works.  He understood well that it many times comes in to people’s lives little by little (Job 1:1; James 1:13-15; Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom before actually living in the city Genesis 13:12-13).  Job, well aware of the possibility that his children could commit sin, offered sacrifices on their behalf. 

Concerned

Job was concerned about the inner purity of his children.  The specific concern Job had for his children is very enlightening.  It was not some overt act of sin that concerned him.  That did not seem to have been an issue with his children.  That which bothered Job was the inner thoughts of his children.  As a father, Job seems to have taught the importance and value of the inner self.  When one’s heart is right, a person’s actions will then be right (Matthew 5:8; Matthew 12:34-35).

Consistent

Job was consistent in his continuous concern for his children.  Job continuously offered sacrifices on behalf of his children.  His children’s spiritual welfare was one of his foremost concerns.  Abraham’s attitude toward being a father was similar.  God said of him, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him . . .” (Gen. 18:19).  This could be said of Abraham (and of Job), because this was normal activity in rearing his children.

               Fatherhood is a very serious and special God-given role.  Fathers, may we follow this man of patience as we fulfill our duties with the children with which we have been blessed (Psalm 127:3-5).

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_13 ; printable version – job_chap_13
•  Interactive version -job_chapter_14 ; printable version – job_chap_14
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_15 ; printable version – job_chap_15