June 6, 2025

The conclusion of the Book of Job is exciting. Job suffered immensely, losing his children, health, and wealth. Job repented, and God accepted it and forgave Job for complaining about his hardship. Then God rebuked his three friends and instructed them to bring seven bulls and seven rams for a sacrifice, telling them that Job would pray for them. God changed everything! Those friends who thought they were more holy than Job because they weren’t suffering his fate were humbled. Here’s the kicker: God gave Job twice as much as he had before, and it began with his friends, acquaintances, and extended family bringing him money and gold rings. They celebrated and comforted him. He then had seven sons and three daughters. Was this by the same wife? I doubt it, but it doesn’t say. I found it interesting that his daughters were named and also given an inheritance among their brothers. Their names had significant meanings, reflecting their unmatched beauty; in summary, they mean Jemima (prosperity), Kezia (fragrance), and Kerenhappuch (restoration). 

What we’ve learned from this is that it is wrong to judge someone by their material prosperity or lack thereof; God looks at the heart, not the wealth or outward appearance. If you go through a time of suffering, lose all your friends, or have friends who mistreat you, pray for them, and God will bless you. 

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. Job 42:10