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Job Offered Sacrifices for His Children, September 7
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that
Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and
offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job
said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their
hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Job 1:5
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There are two ways to deal with children,—ways that differ widely
in principle and in results. Faithfulness and love, united with wisdom
and firmness, in accordance with the teachings of God’s Word, will bring
happiness in this life and in the next. Neglect of duty, injudicious in-
dulgence, failure to restrain or correct the follies of youth, will result in
unhappiness and final ruin to the children, and disappointment and anguish
to the parents....
It were well for parents to learn from the man of Uz a lesson of
steadfastness and devotion. Job did not neglect his duty to those outside
of his household; he was benevolent, kind, thoughtful of the interests of
others; and at the same time he labored earnestly for the salvation of his
own family. Amid the festivities of his sons and daughters, he trembled lest
his children should displease God. As a faithful priest of the household, he
offered sacrifices for them individually. He knew the offensive character
of sin, and the thought that his children might forget the divine claims, led
him to God as an intercessor in their behalf
He [God] desires to see gathered out from the homes of our people
a large company of youth who, because of the godly influences of their
homes, have surrendered their hearts to Him and go forth to give Him the
highest service of their lives. Directed and trained by the godly instruction
of the home, the influence of the morning and evening worship, the con-
sistent example of parents who love and fear God, they have learned to
submit to God as their teacher and are prepared to render Him acceptable
service as loyal sons and daughters. Such youth are prepared to represent
to the world the power and grace of Christ
[258]
21
The Review and Herald, August 30, 1881
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22
Child Guidance, 559
.
266