Job - Chapter 42

Job 42.1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Job 42.2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Job 42.3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42.4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Job 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42.6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42.7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Job 42.8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. Job 42.9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. Job 42.10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42.11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. Job 42.12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. Job 42.13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. Job 42.14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. Job 42.15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. Job 42.16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. Job 42.17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

Job : Chapter 42

The Conclusion of the Book of Job

Job chapter 42 concludes the book with Job's final response and divine restoration. How does Job respond to God's revelation? This powerful text recounts Job's repentance and submission, followed by God's rebuke of his friends and the restoration of his fortunes.

Crucial Themes

This chapter addresses essential themes such as humility, repentance, intercession, and God's ultimate justice. Job 42 provides a satisfying resolution to the saga of Job's suffering and faith. Let's reflect together on five biblical passages that illuminate the transformative principles of this final historical chapter.

Illuminating Bible Passages

James 5:11: "As you know, we consider those who persevere blessed. You have heard of the patience of Job and seen the outcome the Lord brought to him. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." This verse reflects the story of Job as a whole, highlighting Job's perseverance and God's ultimate compassion.

Ezekiel 14:14: "Even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, they could not be saved except by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord." This verse mentions Job as an example of righteousness, reflecting the ultimate outcome of his story.

1 Peter 5:6: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." This verse echoes Job's humility before God in Job 42 and his subsequent exaltation by God.

Psalm 30:5: "For his anger is but a moment, but his mercy endures a lifetime; weeping may continue all night, but in the morning there is joy." This verse illustrates the pattern of suffering followed by restoration that we see in the story of Job, particularly in Job 42.

Deuteronomy 8:3: "He humbled you with hunger, then fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors knew, to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." This verse resonates with the theme of Job 42, where Job learns to trust God beyond his material circumstances.