SCRIPTURE: JOB 42
THE JOB REPLIED TO THE LORD: (vs, 1-6)
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked: “Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?” Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said: “Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes”‘ (vs. 1-6)
EPILOGUE (vs. 7-17)
The Lord was angry with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar because they had not spoken what is right regarding him. He told Eliphaz to take 7 bulls with 7 rams and go to Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for themselves Job will pray for them and God will accept his prayer. So, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar did what the Lord told them and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.
HOW GOD HAD BLESSED JOB:
- The Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (v. 10)
- All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and gold ring. (v. 11)
- He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 donkeys. (v. 12)
- He had 7 sons and 3 daughters. (v. 13)
- Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. (v. 15)
- Job lived a hundred and forty years. He saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. (v. 16)
THOUGHTS:
THE WHOLE BOOK OF JOB REVEALED THE PERSONALITY OF JOB AND TEACHES US THE FOLLOWING LESSONS:
- Job had a new understanding of God’s power and purpose and realized he had to repent. His sufferings gave him a new vision of himself and of the glory and greatness of God. We should also admit that we are sinners and need to repent of our sins. We should remember that God is an Almighty, powerful God.
- Job maintained his faith in God in spite of trials. He revealed to the world that God is worthy of our trust and worship no matter how much he allows us to suffer. When we suffer in the will of God, it becomes a ministry working for us not against us.
- Job forgave and prayed for his friends even though they said unkind words to him. We should also pray and forgive those people who have wrong against us.
- Job received twice the blessings with happy ending in life. God also promises to reward all who is true to him. So cling tightly to your faith in God through all your trials. Our complete restoration may not be in this life but in the life to come.
Job had finally humbled himself and asked for forgiveness for questioning God’s sovereignty and justice. He repented of his attitude and acknowledged God’s great power and perfect justice. We are unable to see beyond today and we cannot know the reasons for everything that happens. Thus, we must choose between doubt and trust. Will you trust God with your unanswered questions?
We live in a fallen world because of the consequence of sin. So, bad things happen to both believers and unbelievers. We may have not answers as to why God allows evil but we can be sure He is all powerful and knows what he is doing. When we face trials and dilemma, see them as opportunities to turn to God for strength. If you can trust him in pain, confusion, sorrows and loneliness, you will win the victory and eliminate doubt. So, make God your foundation to experience his love and compassion.