Jemima, Kezia, Keren-happuch, and Job’s Other Daughters

Job 1: 2, 4-5, 13-15
Job 42:13-15

Background:

Job was a very rich and influential man living in the land of Uz, who “was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1) The Lord allowed Satan to try and tempt Job above all other men (Job 1: 5-12). Job suffered many trials, including the loss of all his family, wealth and physical health (Job 1-42). Yet, despite all his trials Job remained faithful and trusted in the Lord. In the end, the Lord restored to Job all that he had lost and more than he had before (Job 42).

Facts About Them:

• Job had three daughters and seven sons who often feasted and drank together. Job feared that they were sinning and cursing God so he made burnt offerings on their behalf continually (Job 1:4-5);
• One day while all his children were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother’s house the Sabeans attacked and carried them all away as slaves and only one servant was left to tell Job (Job 1:13-15);
• After the trial of Job’s faith the Lord “blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning” and gave him seven more sons and three more daughters (Job 42: 12-13);
• We don’t have the names of the first three daughters, but the last three daughters were named Jemima, Kezia, and Keren–happuch and “in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job” (Job 42: 15);
• Job gives his last three daughters an inheritance among their brothers (Job 42: 15).

Speculations About Them:

This really isn’t a speculation but I thought it was interesting. The Masonic organization for young women ages 10-20 is called Job’s Daughters. It was founded in 1920 by Ethel T. Wead Mick (also called “Mother Mick”) in Omaha, Nebraska. The purpose of the organization is to help young women develop a greater reverence for God and the scriptures, loyalty to one’s country and that country’s flag, and respect for parents, guardians, and elders. Mother Mick chose the name Job’s Daughters because of the 42nd chapter, 15th verse which says, “In all the land were no women found so fair as the Daughters of Job, and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren”. The organization is a way for women to realize that have an inheritance of spiritual gifts, just like their brother do.

My Thoughts:

There is nothing that man or the world can take away that God won’t restore to us tenfold if we are faithful and endure to the end. In his last General Conference talk Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:

“The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude. “

I really like the last sentence about these women that “…their father gave them inheritance among their brethren”. We often forget that faithful women are entitled to the EXACT same blessings and privileges as their brothers are. Job, and God, did not forget these women and rewarded them according to their faithfulness.

What We Can Learn From Them:

• Righteous and faithful daughters will be given eternal inheritances, the same as any of their brothers;
• The Lord compensates us for all the losses and suffering we go through in this life. We may not be compensated right away, but after the trial of our faith will come the blessings.

Questions to Think About:

• What ever happened to the first three daughters who were carried off?
• Why did God allow Satan to try and tempt Job?
• What made Job’s daughters the fairest women in the land?
• Why are all the pictures of Job really really scary? Trust me, some of them are just down right twisted.