There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and 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. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.1
Let us look at three persons—Job; his daughter, Jemimah; and the Holy Spirit:
Job. God had protected and blessed Job.2 And when Satan appeared, God confidently volunteered Job. And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God, and turns away from evil?”3 And so Satan takes Job’s property and children; and attacks Job’s heath.4 Amidst this gruesome and tormenting test, Job never relented. Job said, As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 He confessed, I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes. And the Lord restored his fortunes, and blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.6
Jemimah. Job’s story is relevant to us. This Friday, the 10th of November, marks our daughter’s birthday. We plucked her name from the book of Job. Remember that God allowed Job to go through a painful test. Later, God doubled his fortune. And he had 14,00 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah. . . (naming also the other two).6 In a patriarchal culture, naming the woman is meaningful. Noticeably, God didn’t even name the sons. Jemimah literally means little dove;7 it is a symbol of peace, freedom, and hope. Figuratively, it is a visual representation of the Holy Spirit.8 And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters.9 God honored Job, rewarded him, and gave the privilege to have daughters who were unmatched in beauty. As God’s children women have to be reminded that they are precious in God’s sight—fearfully and wonderfully made.10 We have nurtured Jemimah and are elated that she knows her worth; coincidently, she asks her friends to call her Jem for short. Apt for a precious gem.
Holy Spirit. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.11 We need not struggle through life using our limited strength. The Holy Spirit is our helper. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. . .12 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.13
Be intentional. Know God’s will by studying the Scriptures. He chose you for a reason. Align your life with God’s purpose. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; . . . So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.14 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will.15 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.16
Notes:
1. Job 1:1-3
2. Job 1:10
3. Job 1:7-8
4. Job 1:13-2:10
5. Job 27:2-4
6. Job 42:5-6, 10, 12
6. Job 42:12b-14.
7. https://biblehub.com/topical/j/jemimah.htm
8. Luke 3:21-22
9. Job 42:15
10. Psalm 139:13-16
11. Psalm 127:1a
12. John 14:25-27
13. Acts 4:33
14. Proverbs 3:3-4
15. Ephesians 1:4-5
16. 2 Corinthians 2:17
