Having Regular Customs
Scripture Reading — Job 1:1-5
Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for them …
Job 1:5
Job’s priestly parenting has sometimes been questioned. Can parents pray and present offerings for their children’s sins? Does God accept my sacrifice for someone else? Vicarious atonement is the term we use to describe Christ as the one who becomes our substitute to accomplish the saving work in our relationship with God. Yet Christ’s atoning work still calls us to receive Jesus and his redeeming work with a believing heart.
Without answering all the questions about “Job’s regular custom,” we can learn from his example that it’s worthwhile to nurture some family traditions. We can assume that Job’s children knew that their father sacrificed for them. The father who seeks to please God and is concerned that his children “may have sinned” is the kind of parent who takes time to teach them God’s Word and to pray for them regularly.
Healthy churches, healthy families, and healthy relationships enjoy customs that call for times of celebration and other memory-making moments. A church’s annual Christmas Eve candlelight service is an example. Bringing Easter lilies to church neighbors could be another. Praying daily for our children—a form of offering sacrifice—should be one.
God’s daily command for the sun to rise is a good custom. How about you? Do you have any good habits?
Father, thank you for faithfully keeping us in your care and for people in the family of Christ who pray for us. Help us to do the same for others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
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