Page 40 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

of God, they should have clung to his other characteristics just as fiercely and looked for a different
answer.

Before his experience of suffering, “Job had learned to adhere to his pious fear of God, though he could
not comprehend His ways; to avouch the LORD to be his Redeemer, though His providence remained an
incomprehensible mystery. The lesson of the LORD’s discourse must be something beyond what Job had
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himself already attained to.” In giving Job a further taste of his might, God opened Job’s mind and faith
to further experience of his other characteristics including his love. “The excellence of Christ…is an
infinite excellency, such a one as the mind desires, in which it can find no bounds; and the more the
mind is used to it, the more excellent it appears. Every new discovery makes this beauty appear more
ravishing, and the mind sees no end; here is room enough for the mind to go deeper and deeper, and
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never come to the bottom.”

In the middle of God’s lesson, Job responds. “I am unworthy…. I put my hand over my mouth (40:4).”
More revelation by God of Himself changes Job. He now does the very thing Elihu had advised earlier.
Job determines to say nothing more. After God’s final words, Job admits the power of revelation. “My
ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you (42:5).” He has had a personal encounter with
Yahweh. His new understanding of God is more than enough to answer all his questions.

Job uses the Old Testament word for miracle when he labels God’s revelation. It is “wonderful” (42:3). He
now has a better idea of who God is and of what only God can do. He admits his smallness and God’s
greatness. All of his previous blustering and complaining cause him to despise himself and repent
thoroughly (42:6).

The writer goes on to wrap up loose ends. God is
angry at Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Job, despite
all his errors, has been more correct than they. They
must make sacrifices, and Job must pray for them. The
text finishes with them as Yahweh accepts Job’s
prayer (42:9). Nothing is said about Elihu. He has done
his part to prepare Job for God’s coming. He passes in
silence, the author’s way of giving his stamp of
approval on Job’s fourth friend.

Next, we are told of Job’s restoration. Yahweh gave
him twice as much as Figure 25: Job's Prayer for his friends he had before. Friends and
family gather to encourage him over the trouble
God had allowed to happen to him (42:10-11). The double blessing is catalogued. Instead of 7,000
sheep, he has 14,000. Instead of 3,000 camels, he has six thousand. Instead of five hundred oxen and
donkeys, he has a thousand. God also gives him seven sons and three daughters to replace the first ten
children who died. Here also, Job’s blessing is increased but in a different way. The names of the three
daughters are given, and they are described as the most beautiful women in the land. Finally, job dies

57 William Henry Green, D.D., The Argument of the Book of Job Unfolded (Minneapolis: Klock & Klock, 1979), 298.
58 Jonathan Edwards, On Knowing Christ (Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1993), 170.
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