A Quick Thought...Sacrificing for His Children

The majority of the Book of Job deals with his (and others') reactions to the suffering which he faces. As a result, that tends to be what we focus on when we read Job. I noticed something else today though, something that comes before his suffering.

In the days before tragedy had befallen his family, Job would routinely hold feasts for his children. We are told in Job 1:5, "And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, 'It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.' Thus Job did continually."

Job's concern for the spiritual welfare of his children is certainly commendable. But ultimately I do not think we are meant to consider Job's loving sacrifices merely on their own terms. Rather, ought they not point us to another Father who, concerned for the spiritual well-being of his children, sacrificed for them at the greatest of cost to Himself?

Glory be to the God whose sacrificial love for His children knows no bounds!