42:1-4 Job listened to God: reverently, conscientiously. More importantly, Job heard God. Job admitted to his own doubt and disagreement; he admitted that he was wrong to mistrust God. The beauty of the admission is that God still had not explained to Job why his life had changed so much. God's speech reminded Job of the faith he spent his life building and he was ashamed to have tainted it with so much anger and suspicion.
42:5-6 Job used his opportunity in conversation with God to express his repentance. Face to face with the majesty of God, Job found himself to be lacking. It became ridiculous to him that he would ever rely on his own calculation rather than trust in the manifestations God placed into his life.
Job was disappointed in himself to the point of loathing; and many of us can relate. But in such moments of humility, the love of God is strong; and repentance is restoration.
42:7-8 God then turned his attention to the men who had so much to say to God. God was extremely displeased with their arrogance. Moreover, what they spoke was false and cruel. Though Job faltered in peace, his faith was steadfast. But God told Eliphaz and his two friends that they needed to repent; they had relied on their own power and knowledge rather than truth and righteousness.
God explained to them that it was Job's merciful prayers that would save them. God trusted that Job would continue to be the person he loved so much: someone who would pray for people who seemed not to deserve it. The irony is that the men had thought for so long that they were better than Job. As always, God put things in proper order.
42:9-10 Job prayed for them; and we know that his prayer was sincere otherwise it would not have been accepted by God. The Lord restored Job's loses when he prayed for his friends. Not before, not after. God restores us as we live a righteous life. God works concurrently with our compassion and righteousness.
God blessed Job doubly. Job's faith was steadfast and his character magnanimous to his friends and reverent to God. The grace of God flooded into his life with emphasis.
42:11 Job's friends and family came back into his life. God never left it. We can expect breakthrough in any situation we have placed our faith, our God, in. Anticipate the peace God is cultivating, the love, the life life He has planned for you who love the Lord.
Remember that Job's friends, family and home were not taken away as punishment. The faithful can expect to live as examples of the resilience of sincere faith in tribulation. It is a difficult but honorable position; it is a blessed assignment.
42:12-15 God blessed the rest of God's life; the tribulation gave birth to a life even more prosperous than the former. He started another family (his first family safe, cherished and waiting for him in heaven).
42:16-17 God enabled Job to live a long, happy and full life. Use Job's example to build stronger faith in yourself. Trust God's plan; when you give God full authority in your life, you can trust that your life will inevitably unfold beautifully. With God you will live a full, happy, and purposeful life.
