Week of Monday January 19 - January 25
Life Giver – Man as Chaplain
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” - Job 1:20-21 ESV
In neonatal intensive care units, doctors care for babies so small they can fit in the palm of a hand. Some weigh less than a pound. They cannot speak. They cannot survive on their own. And yet, when a doctor treats that tiny infant or a nurse cares for that baby, no one asks, “Is this life valuable enough to warrant all this effort?” No one debates whether that life matters. All the medical activity and attention shouts what everyone knows instinctively: This life is precious.
Scripture explains why. Human life has value because it is given by God. That truth is what anchors Job’s confession: “The LORD gave…” (v. 21). Life is sacred. That conviction stands at the heart of Job chapter 1. Scripture establishes a foundational truth: Life belongs to God, because life comes from God. If we miss that, we will misunderstand everything that follows—not only in Job, but in our own lives.
Yet before Job suffered loss, he enjoyed blessing. In fact, the introduction to Job is made in terms of his relationship to God and his blessings from God. At the forefront of God’s blessings on Job are his children—a continuation of life entrusted by the Creator. Apparently, his children also understood the blessing and value of life because we read in verse 4, “His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.” That phrase "each on his day" is widely interpreted as referring to the respective birthdays of each of these seven sons. Again, each life is precious and to be celebrated.
Don’t miss what Job does for his sons and daughters in verse 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 treats the lives of his children as sacred. He intercedes for them. He prays for them. He assumes responsibility before God on their behalf. That is every man’s role as Chaplain.
Several items we should notice here. First, Job was proactive in his intercession. He did not wait for a crisis or a visible rebellion to seek God. He recognized their "spiritual vulnerability." As a chaplain of your home, your role is to intercede for the hidden parts of your family's lives—their thoughts, motives, and hearts. Second, Job was disciplined in his intercession. He rose “early in the morning.” His spiritual duties were not an afterthought but a priority. Spiritual leadership is built on consistency, not sporadic frenzy. Making time to meet God before the day’s pressures begin sets a spiritual pace for the entire household. Third, Job was specific in his intercession. He didn't just pray generally. He offered a sacrifice “according to the number of them all,” showing meticulous, individual care for each soul. We are to stand in the gap, praying by name for our wife and each child. Job models for all of us what it is to be the Chaplain of our family.
Yet then we read of the conversation between God and Satan in heaven, and then of the “hell” Satan is permitted to unleash on earth. In a single day, Job loses his wealth and then his children. Scripture does not minimize the tragedy. Ten precious and valued lives are gone. And Job’s response is one of the most important statements in all of Scripture: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (v. 21). He acknowledges that life comes from God and ultimately returns to God. Life is sacred because of the One who gave it. So, men, let us strive to connect those we love and lead with the Life Giver.
Life Giver – Man as Chaplain
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” - Job 1:20-21 ESV
In neonatal intensive care units, doctors care for babies so small they can fit in the palm of a hand. Some weigh less than a pound. They cannot speak. They cannot survive on their own. And yet, when a doctor treats that tiny infant or a nurse cares for that baby, no one asks, “Is this life valuable enough to warrant all this effort?” No one debates whether that life matters. All the medical activity and attention shouts what everyone knows instinctively: This life is precious.
Scripture explains why. Human life has value because it is given by God. That truth is what anchors Job’s confession: “The LORD gave…” (v. 21). Life is sacred. That conviction stands at the heart of Job chapter 1. Scripture establishes a foundational truth: Life belongs to God, because life comes from God. If we miss that, we will misunderstand everything that follows—not only in Job, but in our own lives.
Yet before Job suffered loss, he enjoyed blessing. In fact, the introduction to Job is made in terms of his relationship to God and his blessings from God. At the forefront of God’s blessings on Job are his children—a continuation of life entrusted by the Creator. Apparently, his children also understood the blessing and value of life because we read in verse 4, “His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.” That phrase "each on his day" is widely interpreted as referring to the respective birthdays of each of these seven sons. Again, each life is precious and to be celebrated.
Don’t miss what Job does for his sons and daughters in verse 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 treats the lives of his children as sacred. He intercedes for them. He prays for them. He assumes responsibility before God on their behalf. That is every man’s role as Chaplain.
Several items we should notice here. First, Job was proactive in his intercession. He did not wait for a crisis or a visible rebellion to seek God. He recognized their "spiritual vulnerability." As a chaplain of your home, your role is to intercede for the hidden parts of your family's lives—their thoughts, motives, and hearts. Second, Job was disciplined in his intercession. He rose “early in the morning.” His spiritual duties were not an afterthought but a priority. Spiritual leadership is built on consistency, not sporadic frenzy. Making time to meet God before the day’s pressures begin sets a spiritual pace for the entire household. Third, Job was specific in his intercession. He didn't just pray generally. He offered a sacrifice “according to the number of them all,” showing meticulous, individual care for each soul. We are to stand in the gap, praying by name for our wife and each child. Job models for all of us what it is to be the Chaplain of our family.
Yet then we read of the conversation between God and Satan in heaven, and then of the “hell” Satan is permitted to unleash on earth. In a single day, Job loses his wealth and then his children. Scripture does not minimize the tragedy. Ten precious and valued lives are gone. And Job’s response is one of the most important statements in all of Scripture: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (v. 21). He acknowledges that life comes from God and ultimately returns to God. Life is sacred because of the One who gave it. So, men, let us strive to connect those we love and lead with the Life Giver.
- How are you showing your family the value of human life? There are talking points available for speaking with your family about the biblical view of the Sanctity of Life.
- What did you learn from Job about being a more effective Chaplain and intercessor for your family? Are there any changes you could make?
- Pray and ask the Lord for His favor and blessing to rest on your family and for them to place their trust in Him and follow Him.