Do we see God’s power in the Church and the world or just problems? Do we complain to God but not worship Him? All that can change the moment we see God for who He is. Let’s look at Job 42 and what happened after Job saw who God is.
Job’s final chapter must be seen in light of the first chapters. They introduce the purpose of Job’s suffering, not punishment, but a test. Job’s friends’ arguments are discredited from the beginning. That all suffering is the result of our personal sin, is heartless, and a false accusation against God.
Seeing God’s Power
Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job said this earlier, but did not submit to God, complained but did not worship God. He knew of God’s power but did not really see God and His love.
Job 42:3 “‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job reflects on God’s question from Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?”
Job 42:4 “‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’” Job likewise repeats God’s demand in Job 38:3 “I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” This is someone who has had a humble reality check. He is a mere human being.
Seeing God
Job 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You”. The Bible is supposed to lead us somewhere, to God’s presence. We all need to come to a clear vision of God, not stop with the words of the Bible.
Job 42:6 “Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” Job abhors his previous arrogant words. A clearer insight into who God is, gives us a reality check that makes it easy to see our true powerless state, leaving no room for the delusion of human arrogance.
Falsely Accusing God
Job 42:7-9 God explains His anger at Job’s three friends. They had not spoken truthfully about God. We ought not falsely accuse God. They falsely assumed that prosperity comes from righteousness, and suffering comes from personal sins. That is sometimes true, but not in most cases in this world.
Praying for Others
Job 42:10-17 Intercessory prayer, prayer for others, is a powerful responsibility. Sometimes, God will answer our prayers, but not those of our friends in the world, until they repent, because He wants us to know that we are His representatives in the world, and that He hears our prayers.
Also notice, “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job WHEN he prayed for his friends, AND the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.” Will this always happen? Obviously no, many faithful have died not having received the promises in this life, but with full assurance of blessings in eternity.
If we have worshiped God without complaint, May the Lord bless us double like He did Job. If we are not yet there, where we see God more than the problems all around us, may He be ever so gentle as He opens our eyes to see a clear vision of Him.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
