The Restoration of Job
Open Your Bible
Job 42:1-16, Psalm 40:10-13, Lamentations 3:19-26
BY Melanie Rainer
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.
44 thoughts on "The Restoration of Job"
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“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.
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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
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I thought of this too. New children aren’t replacements.
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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.
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God is good all the time!
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Praying right now, Gina. I’m so sorry to hear this. Praying for strength and wisdom as you all walk this journey with her.
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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.
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Praying for you and your family and of course your Grandmother ❤️. God is holding you all close.
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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!!
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