I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know… Job 42:3
Epilogue
Job’s Confession and Acceptance – God’s Unconditional Sovereignty over His life
God’s revelation of himself seems inadequate to those who demand to know the reason for all things. But it is enough for Job. The sufferer now accepts his position as a creature and bows before the Creator. Having seen the Lord, Job makes no claim to righteousness, but simply submits to the Lord. Job is told to pray for his three friends, who have not spoken rightly about God, as Job has (7). Job’s health is restored, his wealth is doubled, and his household blessed with many more children.
42:6 The phrase I abhor myself means to reject or to recant. Job repents of his words and accusations that were based on the false belief that God always rewards the righteous in this life. Instead of accusing God of injustice, Job submits to the will of the sovereign Lord of the universe.
I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know… 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.” 42: 3, 6
42:7,8 In contrast to his friends, Job has spoken of God what is right. Unlike the friends, Job had recanted his false belief, repented of his pride and affirmed God’s unconditional sovereignty over his life. Job had been right in maintaining his innocence in the face of his friends’ false accusations.
7 And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
Restoration
42:12-17Job’s restored prosperity should not be seen as compensation for his piety. After Job had given up his demand for his former prosperity the Lord could give it to him as a free gift. This conclusion shows that the Book of Job does not totally reject the principle of divine retribution but only its false application. It concurs with the Book of Proverbs that the fear of the Lord normally leads to an abundant and long life. But we cannot presume that God will always operate in this manner, as Job’s friends had done.
10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days.
