Epic Mealtimes in the Bible: Job

Reflective Reading: Job 1 and 42

Recently, Biblical Theology instructor Colin Smith gave a devotion that blew my mind. He focused on two important details found in the first and last chapters of the book of Job. The book is framed with two unusual meals. The first meal, or feast, takes place in the houses of his sons, where his daughters join them.

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them (1:4).

The next meal takes place in the final chapter:

Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house (42:11).

By giving a brief history of mealtimes in the ancient Near East, Colin helped us to understand why these were not typical meals. Mealtime established family identity and roles. The father sat at the head of the table and the mother took her place in the next prominent position. This hierarchy not only established roles but also respect for those roles; it served as a reminder of who should receive honor. The character of ancient Near Eastern children was being formed at mealtime.

In light of this context, we can see what was unusual at the beginning of the book. Who is missing at the first meal? The sons of Job invited their sisters to their houses but left out a prominent person. The fact that the father is not present at his children’s feasts speaks volumes. We read,

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 (1:5).

We are not told why Job wasn’t invited to the meal, but we can infer that he was not honored as the head of his household, considering the conflict in his home, as laid out in Job 2:9-10:

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

It appears that Job was not respected in his family, as we see in his wife’s degrading tone. Job characterized her speech as being like that of one of the foolish women.

The end of the book tells a different story. Job’s friends and family were eating in his house, with Job presiding in a place of honor. This structure suggests that in the beginning, though Job was rich and wise with an unblemished reputation, he was not yet in a position of honor that others respected.  It was not until he had gone through severe suffering that his family and friends honored him as they broke bread together.

We are reminded of another mealtime that illustrates a similar truth, known as the Last Supper. Though Jesus took on the role as head of the household, more importantly, He demonstrated His leadership by being a servant. We see that like Job, Jesus was disrespected—one of His closest friends betrayed Him. And like Job, Jesus would go through intense suffering. But through His suffering, many would follow Him and one day enjoy a meal with Him at the marriage supper of the Lamb! This glorious meal would be like no other, with Jesus at the head and His bride at her proper place. Both will enjoy this feast, as both suffered much to get there.

Over the years I have witnessed many strained relationships that denied honor to the father and mother and distorted God’s design for the family. Many fathers have lived their entire lives without enjoying family unity or respect. But God can use this to prepare us for even greater honor, which might include suffering as a divine rite of passage to make us perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle us. The Apostle Peter conveys this truth in the last chapter of his first letter when he writes,

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

May we be encouraged by these truths and allow them to penetrate our lives and hearts.

If you have a moment this week, I encourage you to read through the book of Job and learn from his journey.

I have also included some Lamplighter favorites below that cover topics such as parenting, faith, and perseverance. Feel free to explore the titles—you just might find your next favorite!

Looking forward to next time!

Blessings,

Dr. Mark Hamby

M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.

President

Recommended Reading on Characters of Faith:

The Beggar’s Blessing, Illustrated (ages 2+)

Mary Jones and Her Bible (ages 6+)

Parable of Two Millstones (ages 10+)

The Wanderer book/audio (ages 10+)

The Mansion (ages 10+)

The Shepherd of Bethlehem (ages 12+)