JOB 42:7-17
Job has been subjected to five fiery trials and has participated in five painful debates, but now he receives at the hand of God a tenfold blessing
1. He is allowed to see the glory of God.
2. He sees himself as God sees him. (This is always a blessing.)
3. He is vindicated by God before the eyes of his three critical friends.
4. He discovers the joy of praying for these three friends.
5. His former health is fully restored.
6. He is comforted by his brothers and sister.
7. He is given double his former wealth.
8. He is given seven more sons and three more daughters.
9. He lives to enjoy his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
10. He is given an additional 140 years—twice the number normally accorded a man. (See Ps. 90:10.)
Some reasons for Job’s sufferings
1 That Satan might be silenced (1:9-11; 2:4, 5).
2. That Job might see God (42:5).
3. That Job might see himself (40:4; 42:6).
4. That Job's friends might learn not to judge (42:7).
5. That Job might learn to pray for, rather than to lash out aqainst his critics (42:10).
6. To demonstrate that all God s plans for his own eventually have happy endings (42:10).
~ THE PATRIARCHAL STAGE ~
down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not" (14:1, 2).
5. "They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked" (16:10, 11).
These words are repeated (in paraphrase fashion) in Psalms 22:13; 35:21, in reference to the sufferings of Christ on the cross.
6. "Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high" (16:19).
7. "But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (23:10).
8. "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing" (26:7).
9. "Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!" (23:3). This problem was solved through the incarnation of Christ. See John 1:18, 45.
10. "How then can man be justified with God? Or how can
he be clean that is born of a woman?" (25:4). Problem solved through the death of Christ. See Romans 4:24, 25; 5:1.
11. "If a man die, shall he live again?" (14:14). Problem solved through the resurrection of Christ.
12. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (19:25, 26).
SOME REASONS FOR JOB'S SUFFERINGS
1. That Satan might be silenced (1:9-11; 2:4, 5).
2. That Job might see God (42:5).
3. That Job might see himself (40:4; 42:6).
4. That Job's friends might learn not to judge (42:7).
5. That Job might learn to pray for, rather than to lash out against his critics (42:10).
6. To demonstrate that all God's plans for his own eventually have happy endings (42:10).