Scriptural text: Job 42:1-11
Lesson Context:
The life of Job demonstrates that man is unaware of the many ways God is at work in the life of each believer. Job’s life is also one that prompts the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Job was blameless and upright: he feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). He had ten children and a man of great wealth. The Bible tells us that one day Satan presented himself before God and God asked Satan what he thought of Job. Satan accused God of honoring God only because God blessed him. So God allowed Satan to take away Job’s wealth and his children. God allowed Satan to afflict Job physically. Job grieved deeply but did not charge God of wrongdoing (Job 1:22; 42:7-8).
God’s Plan (Job 42:1-2).
“I know you can do anything.” This wonderful statement from Job was obviously connected to the impressive display of power and might of God over Creation, but it was also connected to the comfort that the sense of the presence of God brought to Job. God indeed could “do everything,” including bringing comfort and assurance to Job, even when Job did not understand the origin or meaning of the crisis that he was enduring.
God’s Words (Job 42:3-4).
“I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job said many sad and imprudent things, both in his agonized cry of Job 3 and in the bitter and contentious debate with his friends. At times he doubted the goodness of God and His righteous judgment in the world, at times he doubted if there was any good in this life or the life beyond. Now Job has come full circle, back to a state of humble contentment with not knowing the answers to the questions occasioned by his crisis by his companions.
Request Replayed (v. 4).
“Listen, please, and let me speak.” Before, Job seemed to want to challenge God (Job 31:35-40) in a confrontational way. Now, after his wonderful revelation of God, He respectfully asked God for the right to speak.
God’s Presence (Job 42:5).
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.” This reminds us that the most powerful aspect of Job’s encounter with God was not primarily what God said, but God’s simple, loving, powerful promise with Job that changed him profoundly.
Visions of Self (v. 6).
“Wherefore I abhor myself” This would normally be the conviction of sin that even a saint like Job senses in the presence of God, yet there is good evidence that Job, with this statement, was really retracting his statements made in ignorance.
God’s Blessings (Job 42:10-17).
Before God restored Job, He addresses Job’s friends and ordered them to sacrifice burnt offerings (Job 42:7-9). Job’s friends followed God’s directives, after which Job prayed for them. The Lord then began the process of restoring Job. The Lord turned the captivity of Job.
Job Rewarded (vv. 11-17).
The Lord doubled the amount of livestock owned by Job. God’s act highlights the generous nature of His grace and blessing. He had also seven sons and three daughters.