1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes.
7 And it was [so], that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] right, as my servant Job [hath].
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite [and] Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.
15 And in all the land were no women found [so] fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, [even] four generations.
17 So Job died, [being] old and full of days.
Overview of Job Chapter 42
Job Chapter 42 serves as the conclusion to the Book of Job, encapsulating the themes of suffering, divine sovereignty, and restoration. This chapter depicts Job’s response to God after a series of dialogues and confrontations with his friends and God Himself. It highlights Job’s humility, repentance, and the restoration of his fortunes.
Key Themes
- Humility and Repentance: Job acknowledges his limitations and the greatness of God.
- Divine Sovereignty: The chapter emphasizes God’s ultimate authority over creation and human affairs.
- Restoration and Blessing: Job’s fortunes are restored, symbolizing hope and divine favor.
Structure of the Chapter
- Job’s Response to God (Verses 1-6):
Job responds to God’s speeches by acknowledging his own ignorance and repenting for questioning God’s wisdom.
- God’s Instructions to Eliphaz (Verses 7-9):
God rebukes Job’s friends for their false representations of Him and instructs them to offer sacrifices, with Job interceding for them.
- Job’s Restoration (Verses 10-17):
Job’s fortunes are restored, and he is blessed with even greater prosperity than before, including a new family and a long life.
Detailed Analysis
Job’s Response to God (Verses 1-6)
In these verses, Job acknowledges God’s omnipotence and admits that he spoke of things he did not understand. This moment of humility marks a significant shift in Job’s character, illustrating the importance of recognizing one’s limitations in the face of divine wisdom. Job’s repentance signifies a deeper understanding of God’s nature and his own position as a human being.
God’s Instructions to Eliphaz (Verses 7-9)
God’s rebuke of Eliphaz and the other friends highlights the consequences of misrepresenting God. Their failure to speak truthfully about God’s character necessitates a sacrifice for atonement. Job’s role as an intercessor is pivotal; it showcases the theme of mediation and the importance of righteous individuals in seeking reconciliation with God. This act of intercession also reflects Job’s restored relationship with God.
Job’s Restoration (Verses 10-17)
The restoration of Job’s fortunes is a powerful conclusion to the narrative. God not only restores what Job lost but also blesses him abundantly, emphasizing the theme of divine grace. The specifics of Job’s new family and wealth serve to illustrate the completeness of his restoration. The mention of his daughters’ beauty and the inheritance they receive is particularly significant, as it underscores the value of women in the biblical narrative and challenges cultural norms of the time.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 42 encapsulates the journey from suffering to restoration, highlighting the importance of humility, the necessity of repentance, and the nature of God’s grace. The chapter serves as a reminder of the complexity of human suffering and the profound mystery of divine providence. Ultimately, it reaffirms the hope that, despite trials, restoration and blessings can follow genuine faith and repentance.
