Being Job’s Daughter
People often ask me where my name comes from. Many are surprised to discover that Jemima is a Hebrew Biblical name and she was the first of Job’s three daughters after his restoration. Recently my mum enlightened me on the drama concerning my name: It took her about one and a half weeks after I was born to name me because she wanted to give me the ‘right’ name. For that time I was known as ‘baby’ to my parents and Alicia to the hospital staff (they decided to give me a name regardless). Mum finally settled on Jemima because Jemima in the Bible was beautiful (she wanted a beautiful daughter) and the one Jemima she knew in secondary school was not only beautiful but also had a lovely character.

In my earlier years my name was a source of embarrassment because it was unusual and a brand of American syrup! Now I’ve come to appreciate my name, its meaning and significance. I am a firm believer in the significance of names and I can confidently say that the significance of my name has followed me throughout my life.

Recently, whilst experiencing some of life’s challenges, I was led to read about my namesake’s father in the Bible: Job. Many people have different thoughts on the book of Job but it has some of my favourite quotes. One of the main themes of the book centres on how we respond to suffering. The book of Job is a great example of how we should be when going through life’s upheavals.

Job didn’t just go through a bit of a rough patch- he lost everything in a succession of events. When reading Job I was so exhausted by all the things he went through that I almost felt like interceding to God on his behalf! What was even more striking was that this didn’t happen because he had sinned or offended God. On the contrary, it was because God was so proud of him and boasted about him in the heavens. This really struck a chord within me because I used to think that the source of my trials was due to some past wrongdoing or bad choice. The story of Job’s life opened my eyes to see that some trials carry with them a blessing that can only being achieved by ‘going through stuff’.

Despite the events in Job’s life he refused to curse God. His conviction on what he knew his Heavenly Father could and would do saw him through until the end. You see it’s not what life throws at you that counts, it’s who and what you believe that will bear fruit.

My reading of the book of Job has led me to a new level of appreciation for remaining faithful in times of trouble. God carries us in these times so it doesn’t make sense to turn your back on Him when you need Him the most. When all is said and done, you will come out as precious gold to the glory of God. So bling up your life by allowing God’s refining fire to bring out the best in you!

Dr Jemima Agyare

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