Wednesday, April 2 ~ Family Celebration

~~Job 1:1-2, 4
There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

His sons used to go and hold feasts in one another’s houses in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 

~~Remember Mad Gabs? The single page stories where one person gives a part of speech, and another person fills in the blank. Then, together, they read the story out loud and laugh until their sides hurt at the hilarity of it all? 
We could do this with these verses …
There was once a _________ (noun) in the land of ___________ (place) whose name was __________ (proper name). That _______ (noun) was _____________ (adjective) and ________________ (adjective), one who __________ (past tense verb) God and turned away from ________ (noun).
If we filled these in during family get togethers, we might be able to see how each of us could find common ground. We are all from somewhere, and have some dinner table around which we consumed food and fellowship. We can understand the concept of family celebration, whether we come from large families or small, delectable feasts or Ramen noodle bowls, tolerable relatives or insane siblings …
Apparently, Job had his share of tolerable relatives. Seven sons and three daughters. And they got together at regular intervals. They were taught to observe feast days, invite each other over, and Job – being the blameless and upright man that he was – would even pray and offer sacrifices for his children, lest they do anything unseemly or wicked in the eyes of God.
I don’t have any relatives who are currently required to offer Old Testament sacrifices on my behalf. But I certainly do have family members who embrace me with prayer when they know I need it, and sometimes when they don’t know I need it. Now, these verses came at a time in the Bible story when Job had no clue what was about to happen to his family. Yet, I am convinced that he would have taken the time to teach his children well, despite the fact that he would lose them. That is the method of operation for blameless and upright people who have made it a habit to fear God and turn away from evil. 
Oh Father God, help me to establish Family Celebrations. Help me to hold wise feast days and submerge my children and husband in prayers of supplication and intercession. Help me to demonstrate familial love and loyalty that could fill pages upon pages of history that will impact the lives of my children.
Kristy H.