I’ve always been afraid of the book of Job.
I’m afraid of Job’s story, the way I’m afraid of Abraham’s, and Mary’s, and the disciples’. I’m afraid the cost of following Jesus will be too much for me—unlike Abraham, who obeyed God and prepared his son for sacrifice; and Mary, who was willing to face scandal as an unwed mother; and Jesus’s first disciples, most of whom died as martyrs. I’m afraid that, when faced with the sharp rock of suffering, my faith will shatter like glass. I don’t trust my flesh, which I know will fail. I’m afraid to live fully, to love completely, and trust wholly. I am afraid to suffer.
Of course, I have suffered a variety of wounds, as we all have. If there is a more common thread to humanity than suffering, I’m not sure I know it. And so Job’s story is, naturally, my story. And your story, and your neighbor’s story, and every member of your family’s story, and that person who served you coffee this morning’s story too. In chapter 42, Job’s story ends with the same stunningly beautiful conclusion we are all offered: repentance and restoration.
Job cries out, “I know that you can do anything.… I reject my words and am sorry for them” (Job 42:2,6). He knows that God is just, merciful, and mighty to save. Job doesn’t expect to be made whole, to have everything and everyone he’s lost restored. It is enough for Job to know that God is God and he is not, and to repent of his own pride.
In chapters 38–41, God speaks. He proclaims His power, His justice, His righteousness, and His sovereignty over all things. It’s a “mic drop” moment, one that needs no punctuation, no follow up. But after Job’s cry of repentance, God responds once more to Job in a manner so kind and lavish that we are compelled to react with just as much awe and wonder as we did when we read that He breathed all creation out of nothing. Yes, God is mighty, unrivaled in power. Yes, God is sovereign, unrivaled in His commitment to justice. But also, Yes, God is good, and He promises us bountiful restoration.
Job received restoration in his lifetime—his fortunes returned, his flocks and herds multiplied, his home filled with new children. Our suffering may not, and often does not, end with restoration in this life. Death wounds us, sickness steals from us, broken relationships limit our ability to trust, and tragedy on a global scale haunts even our happiest days. Our hope is not in the here and now. Ours is a future hope, formed and grounded in God’s Word, molded by His mercy, and secured by His Son.
We will experience the restoration and renewal of all things, as promised in Revelation 21:3–5. It is the only ending that makes sense to our stories of suffering, the kind and lavish response of a loving Father who promises, one day, to wipe every tear from our eyes.
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44 thoughts on "The Restoration of Job"
Praise The Lord, our God && savior. He is the alpha && omega, the beginning and the end && He is worthy of all our praise.
Good and helpful insights. I would add that, while our ultimate hope for restoration is in the New Earth, God does often bring healing, new blessings and a sense of restoration in this life, as he did for Job. Jesus spoke of restoration both in the here and now and in eternity (Lk. 18:29-30), and I have experienced it in my own life. If we persevere in continuing to seek the Source of all good, we are bound to begin to experience his goodness again.
“I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted”
Absolutely beautiful testimony! I hope you are still doing well!
Lord i thank you for restoration
Thank you for sharing that – I lost a child 2 months ago and Job’s restoration story is difficult for me to process as the gift of more children will never replace those that were lost. But, you’re right. It does fill him with a bit of joy here on earth until he experiences full restoration in Heaven, and that is merciful.
Thank you Melanie for creating this blog on Book of Job. I personally not know that Book of Job can bring me to deeper roots n not just a faith or a relationship with God ,but,who is God n the relationship. I have a choice in the senselessness , I chose God n remain in that relationship with God . Know who God n from there it’s really God as Counsellor n spiritual mystery including knowledge I not know as ego , the culprits all slowly come to light to have them merely to fear God. From there also deep mystery of which I learnt from armour of God n Spiritual Warfare. What happen in Job is also a spiritual warfare at the realm of heaven. It’s tough but when we fight the good fight of faith ,we learn simplicity of life n why God Love is important to all to know Who God is n importantly God is a powerful God,creator of Heaven n all it is in the Universe . There is a condition which is do not let Satan has a foothold . Fight to forgive fight to stand on principles fight to not hate ,fight to leave veangeance to God ,fight as much inner not as human wisdom but spiritual wisdom. From there a spiritual gifts is etched interestingly. All that have spiritual gifts does not have it without God training ,now ,I understand. Put the discussion on armour of God n application of it.
God Bless .
When I saw this study in Job I was feeling prompted to read it, but I was scared. I was afraid all of these terrible things would happen to me that were completely out of my control. Let me tell you, lots of things DID happen after I started reading this study! It started with my husband losing his job, then we got in a car wreck that same day! We were fine but his car was totaled! My front tires blew out a week later, and our storage unit flooded and a lot of our things got ruined. In the midst of all this happening I found out I was pregnant as well! My husband and I are still in school and we didn’t want to have kids until our lives were more financially stable and we were more prepared. I did not feel ready for any of this, but God has been there for me through the midst of it. I was praying for a spiritual revival and did He show up in a big way. My husband and I started seeing these “calamities” as blessings. My husband was falling behind in school because of his full-time job. Since his job let him go he is finishing school early! Our insurance is paying off the totaled car and letting us keep it we are now out of debt for that vehicle! (we know someone who is fixing it for only 500!) I was able to land a job with LifeWay ministries, that would make enough money for us to get through school! And they offer great insurance for us that will be a huge blessing for our new baby! I had a feeling things were going to change when I read this study, I am glad they did. I feel stronger as a Christian and I see how Big God is. That he isn’t doing these things to punish us but to help us grow and become better. I’m sorry this is such a huge message but I wanted to share how God has been working in my life. I am hugely blessed and I’m still in awe of how much he has done for me.
Emily
Wow! What a great god and he used people to restore jobs wealth!
Marti, so sorry for your loss. Yes, the huge losses of our life change us to be more like Christ. The losses make us appre iate what we have more, make us more compassionate and on and on. No matter what I go through my motto is to ” keep your eye on the prize”. He promises nothing can compare to the glory set before us. Blessings!
I have often seen the complaint that Job received a ‘replacement’ family as part of his restoration. As someone who has lost a child, nothing can ever replace that loss. It is something you learn to live with. I have since had two more children and while it isn’t the same, they have still brought me much joy. I think the lesson here is to be content with what God has seen fit to give us, even if it isn’t exactly the same as the things we have lost. It’s sort of sad that I had to learn that lesson in this fashion, but if I hadn’t I would not be the person that I am today ;)
“I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes” (42:5). Reminds me of what the Samaritans say in John 4, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world” (4:42). When we come through times of trial and see God at work, it deepens and grows our faith. We have seen Him in our life. Not just in our pastor’s or friend’s life. He is MY God. And He is faithful.
My ex-boyfriend told me that in his heart he felt we were meant to be married. He told me how much he loved me, how I was the love of his life, all of that. But now we’ve been broken up for two months and I see he has been talking to a new girl immediately after our break-up. All my hopes for redemption and renewal are completely dashed and torn to pieces. I don’t really see how God can make this situation better. I constantly feel God letting Satan sift me like wheat, and I’m honestly so tired of it. When do I get anything restored? I just want to be married, belong to someone, not be sick with chronic pain, not be betrayed by someone who said they would love me forever.
Even after Job is restored, all his children are dead. I can’t imagine that new children can ever make up for that pain.
‘Be
I thought about this too
I thought of this too. New children aren’t replacements.
Gods timing and purpose is perfect. I’m so thankful for this reminder tonight. Praying God keeps me grounded in him. Through all times, good and bad. He’s brought me so much peace today drawing me closer and closer. I’m so thankful for a father incomparable.
God is good all the time!
Praying right now, Gina. I’m so sorry to hear this. Praying for strength and wisdom as you all walk this journey with her.
Prayers for my grandmother please. Right after Christmas, she was diagnosed with liver cancer. When we found out that it was operable, we were so hopeful. This morning was her surgery. When they opened her up they found that it had grown too big and was also involved with a lymph node now. They had to stop the surgery. We are heartbroken.
Praying for you and your family and of course your Grandmother ❤️. God is holding you all close.
I feel restoration in my life today. God has seen me and helped me in a period of trial – anxiety, depression – the after affects of treatment for a newly diagnosed muscle disorder. I’m not fully healed, but I am well and pressing on and SO THANKFUL! He has helped me so far and will continue. I am able to return to work after two months of leave! I am so happy and glad, yet I have fear that the periods of anxiety will return, but, I am declaring Jeremiah’s words: “because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end.”
I don’t know what today and the future holds, but I cling to My Redeemer why has helped me so far and promises new mercies for me today and every morning. Great is Your faithfulness oh God!!
I have to say this…When SRT said they were going to do a study on Job, my first thought was WHY!!!!! Not because I can’t learn anything from Job, but selfishly I thought…”I don’t want to walk around depressed and hearing about suffering.”
But as usual I was wrong. The very things that made me upset or cringe were the very things I needed to remind myself. Especially this last devotional, part of why I didn’t want to go through Job was because I feel beaten down, like I am being bypassed. And I know deep down I have no business questioning God or his plan. My impulsive and quick behavior needs to stop, and focus more on God’s will than mine.
In short, this devotional was amazing!
I love the fulfillment in 42:5-6 of Job’s declaration in 19:26-27. He said he believed he would see God, his Redeemer, with his own eyes. In this last chapter, he says he had heard of God, but now he truly saw Him. And his response? To repent and recognize the awe and majesty of God and his small, finiteness. It reminds me of Isaiah 6:5, where Isaiah’s response to seeing God was “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips. And my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts!”
Praise God that because of Jesus our mediator, we can be made holy and able to “look full on his wonderful face” that “the things of earth shall grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Amen.
Amen to this study. Was so good and sooo personal to each of us.
I have enjoyed this study very much. But it has occurred to me that I’ve got a problem. I have made it to the other side of my own season of suffering. God got me through it and I’m thankful for the journey every day. But then I catch myself…. thinking that this must have been my one season of suffering and now I’m good. Whew, got that over with! As if that is how God operates. As if I can KNOW how God operates in this life.
I need to repent of my pride.
I completely relate to this feeling. I want to submit to Gods will, and trust him even in my suffering. But it is hard not to see what I’ve gone thru as a reason for my abundant blessings. I need to remember that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Not because of my good works or built up credits for past suffering. But because he is sovereign and holy and his plan is always perfect. Whether I can see it in present circumstances or not.
I find it so interesting that Job 42 names Job’s 3 daughters but not any of the sons! And it continues to say that Job granted them an inheritance with their brothers. I imagine this was revolutionary at the time.
I noticed that too. Good to remember
Yes! Brought tears of surprise to my eyes.
Scripture is clear that all of Job’s wealth was restored to him, as was his health (he lived another 140 years!) and he was blessed with a new family. What is unclear is the extent of his healing. Did he still bear the scars in his flesh? Were they a daily reminder of his direct encounter with the Creator of the universe? This is something I have been pondering as we have read Job. Did his scars become a standing stone for him? Telling his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren the story behind the scars? When we suffer do we hide our scars in shame? Or do we use them as a way to tell others what the Creator has done in us and for us.
This series on Job has been one of my favorites in the 5-6 years that I’ve been using these studies. Awesome job SRT and writers!
What strikes me is Job’s focus on God. In his suffering, he searches for God wants God’s answers, to hear God’s voice. Yes, he challenges God as we all do, even when we feel something small is unfair. He is sure of who God is and the truth of all that the Lord has been to him in his life and in it all the greatest suffering amidst the loss, disease and mistreatment of Job is God’s silence and the abscence Job feels of God’s presence. I feel such relief for Job when God finally speaks. Job’s focus on God helps restore his relationship, allows him to ask for forgiveness. For that which he has longed for and his faith and love for God allows him in turn to forgive his friends and brings restoration for them as well. It is a beautiful thing when God speaks. Lord help my focus to be on you Jesus, the Way, the Truth,the Life. Help me to trust you with everything to lay it all at your feet. Help my words to be full of grace and bring you glory and bless others. God be near to these hearts you created. Bring your joy for the morning. I love you Lord.
Amen
God. Is. Good.
Repentance.
Redemption.
Reconciliation.
All can flow from suffering when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
May we stay so close to Him that when He stops to wipe away our tears He does not have to reach far.
It really hit me when Job said that he had heard of God before, but now he saw God with his eyes. All of his suffering had opened his eyes to see God. We don’t understand why we are suffering, but it is those times that open our eyes to see God. It may not, and usually isn’t in the midst of suffering, but after we have come through the fire.
I also saw that God was most upset with those who mischaracterized Him. How often I have tried to explain God to others. God was pretty clear that we cannot understand Him with our finite minds.
We are called to trust and obey.
I have really enjoyed this study. Thank you for all of those who worked to bring it to us!
We appreciate you!
❤️
You are faithful, Lord. Your grace and mercy rest upon each new day. You are our portion. You alone our hope.
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
I feel like a weight has been lifted from me. I feel the lightness in Job’s step, the restored joy, and a peace that surely settled over Job. God’s majesty. God’s justice. God’s forgiveness. God’s promise. Job’s obedience. God’s abundant blessings. The crushing weight of suffering cannot overcome the infinite goodness of our God. Though Job suffered in his season, he was restored in God’s time. Most of my darkest times has been when I have felt separated from God. But I know that because of Jesus’ s death and resurrection, I too am restored, and one day I will kneel before the throne of God and my soul will sing, “How Great Thou Art!”
“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.”
Job 42:10 NKJV
God forgave Job and then gave him the opportunity to forgive them too. He could have just accepted the sacrifice directly from them. I noted that forgiving his friends appears to be part of the condition for his restoration.
Sometimes I give up on people to easily and justify it with what they have done to me. However, I have to remember that God forgives my sin as I forgive other people sin too. Not only that, it’s good to PRAY for them too.
He is a merciful God. A redeeming God.
This this this. God help me. I cannot move on with life and get the full blessings if I do not forgive people who really hurt me, even people who are against my progress. Job didn’t make enemies of his ‘friends’. Instead, he became a spiritual leader for them at their points of weakness. He had true love for them. Imagine if Job never prayed for this friends? Yes, the tough time might have stopped, but he wouldn’t have gotten double blessings for his sorrow.
You and I are to forgive people. Friends, family, leaders, church folk, school folks, acquaintances and every one else are…just people. Like you. Like me. Jesus forgave people because they are after all, just people. Humans.
Whilst ‘they’ are tools of hurt, I can become the tool of healing. Whilst they show no love, I can be the tool that demonstrates love.
Thank you for your heartfelt comments. They really resonated with me this morning. God help me to forgive as I’ve been so miraculously forgiven. Amen and amen.
Afua, thank you for bringing this up, as I could have missed this aspect entirely. Forgiving those who have hurt is is SO important. You have just reminded me that I need to let go of the weight of anger and bitterness to be able to freely and lightly walk the path that God has laid out for me.