Job 42
BSB1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’ 5 My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. 6 Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes." 7 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has. 8 So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s request. 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions. 11 All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. 12 So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. 15 No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived 140 years and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so Job died, old and full of years.
Study Notes — Job 42
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Job 42
- Themes from Job 42
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Job 42
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Job chapter 42 begins with Job's response to God's speeches, where he acknowledges his limited understanding and repentantly expresses his faith in God's sovereignty (Job 42:1-6). The Lord then addresses Job's friends, condemning their ignorance and instructing them to offer sacrifices for their foolish words (Job 42:7-9). The chapter concludes with an account of Job's restoration, as God blesses him with twice as much as he had before, and his family and friends gather around him (Job 42:10-17).
Context for the Chapter
Job chapter 42 is the culmination of the book of Job, which explores the themes of suffering, faith, and God's sovereignty. This chapter provides a sense of resolution and closure to Job's story, emphasizing the importance of humility, trust, and obedience in the face of adversity. Within the larger biblical narrative, Job's story serves as a precursor to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, highlighting the need for a Savior who can fully address the problem of human suffering and evil.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Job's story, we are reminded of the importance of humility and trust in the face of uncertainty. May we, like Job, acknowledge our limitations and submit to God's sovereignty, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness to guide us through life's challenges.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Job chapter 42 is about Job's response to God's speeches, where he humbly repents and acknowledges God's sovereignty. God then addresses Job's friends and restores Job's blessings, including his family, health, and wealth. This chapter teaches us about the importance of humility, trust, and obedience in the face of adversity, as seen in Job 42:2 and Job 42:10.
Voices from the Church
“The book of Job is a grand commentary upon the mystery of providence, and the chapter before us is the conclusion of the whole matter, the final verdict of the great Judge.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“We see that Job, after having been instructed by the Lord, is not only restored to his former state, but is also elevated to a higher degree of dignity and wealth.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Job's Repentance (Job 42:1-6) — Job responds to God's speeches with humility and repentance, acknowledging his limited understanding and submitting to God's sovereignty.
- God's Address to Job's Friends (Job 42:7-9) — God condemns Job's friends for their foolish words and instructs them to offer sacrifices for their ignorance.
- Job's Restoration (Job 42:10-17) — God restores Job's blessings, including his family, health, and wealth, demonstrating His faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him.
- The Significance of Job's Story — Job's story serves as a testament to God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy, highlighting the importance of humility, trust, and obedience in the face of adversity.
- The Ultimate Redemption — Job's story points to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, who fully addresses the problem of human suffering and evil.
Core Doctrines
- Sovereignty of God
- This chapter teaches that God is all-powerful and that His plans cannot be thwarted, as acknowledged by Job in Job 42:2.
- Redemption and Restoration
- The chapter demonstrates God's power to restore and redeem, as seen in Job's restoration to a state of prosperity and blessing.
- Humility and Repentance
- Job's story emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance in the face of adversity, as Job submits to God's sovereignty and acknowledges his limitations.
- Faithfulness and Mercy of God
- The chapter highlights God's faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him, as demonstrated in Job's restoration and blessing.
Lessons from Job 42
- The Importance of Humility — Job's story teaches us the importance of humility in the face of adversity, recognizing our limitations and submitting to God's sovereignty.
- The Power of Repentance — Job's repentance and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty demonstrate the power of repentance in restoring our relationship with God.
- The Faithfulness of God — Job's restoration serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him, even in the midst of suffering and adversity.
- The Ultimate Redemption — Job's story points to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, who fully addresses the problem of human suffering and evil.
- The Need for Obedience — Job's experience emphasizes the importance of obedience in the face of adversity, trusting in God's sovereignty and submitting to His will.
Themes from Job 42
- Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's absolute authority and control over all things, as acknowledged by Job in his repentance.
- Redemption and Restoration — The chapter demonstrates God's power to restore and redeem, as seen in Job's restoration to a state of prosperity and blessing.
- Humility and Repentance — Job's story emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance in the face of adversity, as Job submits to God's sovereignty and acknowledges his limitations.
- Faithfulness and Mercy of God — The chapter highlights God's faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him, as demonstrated in Job's restoration and blessing.
- The Ultimate Redemption — Job's story points to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, who fully addresses the problem of human suffering and evil.
Questions for Meditation
- How does Job's encounter with God transform his attitude and perspective?
- What does God's address to Job's friends reveal about His character and expectations?
- In what ways does Job's restoration reflect God's faithfulness and mercy?
- How does Job's story serve as a precursor to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ?
- What lessons can we apply to our own lives from Job's experience of humility, trust, and obedience in the face of adversity?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Job's Repentance (Job 42:1-6)
| Job 42:1 | Job responds to God's speeches with humility and repentance, acknowledging his limited understanding and submitting to God's sovereignty. |
| Job 42:2 | Job acknowledges God's power and sovereignty, stating that no plan of God's can be thwarted. |
| Job 42:3 | Job recognizes his own ignorance and foolishness, acknowledging that he has spoken of things he does not understand. |
| Job 42:4 | Job requests that God speak to him, that he may hear God's words and understand His ways. |
| Job 42:5 | Job acknowledges that he has heard of God, but now his eyes have seen Him, and he repents in dust and ashes. |
| Job 42:6 | Job's repentance is a turning point in his story, as he submits to God's sovereignty and acknowledges his limitations. |
2. God's Address to Job's Friends (Job 42:7-9)
| Job 42:7 | God addresses Job's friends, condemning their foolish words and instructing them to offer sacrifices for their ignorance. |
| Job 42:8 | God instructs Job's friends to take seven bulls and seven rams and offer them as a burnt offering to God, and to have Job pray for them. |
| Job 42:9 | Job's friends obey God's instructions, offering the sacrifices and having Job pray for them, and God accepts their offerings. |
3. Job's Restoration (Job 42:10-17)
| Job 42:10 | God restores Job's blessings, including his family, health, and wealth, demonstrating His faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him. |
| Job 42:11 | Job's brothers and sisters, and all who had known him before, come to comfort him and congratulate him on his restored blessings. |
| Job 42:12 | God gives Job twice as much as he had before, and his latter days are greater than his former days. |
| Job 42:13 | Job has seven sons and three daughters, and his daughters are the most beautiful in the land. |
| Job 42:14 | Job names his daughters Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch, and they are given an inheritance among their brothers. |
| Job 42:15 | In all the land there were no women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father gives them an inheritance among their brothers. |
| Job 42:16 | After this, Job lives 140 years, and he sees his sons and his sons' sons, four generations. |
| Job 42:17 | And Job dies, an old man and full of days, having lived a life of faithfulness and obedience to God. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Job chapter 42?
The main theme of Job chapter 42 is redemption and restoration, as God restores Job's blessings and demonstrates His faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him (Job 42:10-17).
How does Job's encounter with God transform his attitude and perspective?
Job's encounter with God transforms his attitude and perspective, as he moves from questioning and complaining to humility and repentance, acknowledging God's sovereignty and submitting to His will (Job 42:1-6).
What does God's address to Job's friends reveal about His character and expectations?
God's address to Job's friends reveals His commitment to justice and righteousness, as He condemns their foolish words and instructs them to offer sacrifices for their ignorance (Job 42:7-9).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 42:2 → Psalm 115:3 | Both Job 42:2 and Psalm 115:3 emphasize God's sovereignty and power, highlighting His ability to do all things and fulfill His plans. |
| 2 | Job 42:5 → 1 Corinthians 13:12 | Job 42:5 and 1 Corinthians 13:12 both speak of seeing God face to face, with Job having seen God and the Corinthians looking forward to seeing Him in the future. |
| 3 | Job 42:10 → Deuteronomy 30:3 | Both Job 42:10 and Deuteronomy 30:3 speak of restoration, with God restoring Job's blessings and promising to restore Israel to their land. |
| 4 | Job 42:12 → Isaiah 61:7 | Job 42:12 and Isaiah 61:7 both speak of receiving double for past troubles, with Job receiving twice as much as he had before and Israel receiving double for their shame. |
| 5 | Job 42:16 → Genesis 17:6 | Job's long life and many descendants are a testament to God's blessing and faithfulness, echoing the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 17:6. |
| 6 | Job 42:17 → 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 | Job's death is a reminder that all people must face death, but for the believer, death is not the end, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. |
| 7 | Job 42:2 → Romans 11:33-36 | Both Job 42:2 and Romans 11:33-36 speak of God's unsearchable ways and His power to do all things, highlighting His sovereignty and wisdom. |
| 8 | Job 42:5 → Hebrews 12:1 | Job 42:5 and Hebrews 12:1 both speak of seeing God and being transformed by that encounter, with Job having seen God and the Hebrews being encouraged to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith. |
| 9 | Job 42:10 → 1 Peter 5:10 | Both Job 42:10 and 1 Peter 5:10 speak of restoration, with God restoring Job's blessings and promising to restore believers after they have suffered for a little while. |
| 10 | Job 42:12 → Revelation 21:4 | Job 42:12 and Revelation 21:4 both speak of a future time of blessing and restoration, with Job receiving twice as much as he had before and God wiping away every tear from the eyes of believers in the new heaven and the new earth. |
Sermons on Job 42
| Sermon | Description | |
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Mark of a True Prophet by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the painful message of God's judgment and how people often reject both the message and the messenger. He gives an example of a church service |
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(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 1. in the Crucible of Suffering by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the fourth test that Job faced, which was the counsel of his three friends. These friends, who were oriental philosophers, constantly implied |
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(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 4. God's Voice From the Whirlwind by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker begins by reminding the audience of the outline of the book of Job, which includes a prologue, dialogue between Job and his friends, and an epilogue. Th |
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Finishing the Course - 03 the Ministry of the Holy Spirit by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being free from the opinions of men and instead being open to the influence of the Holy Spirit. He highlights how in the Ol |
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(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 5. the Happy Ending by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Job and its happy ending. He emphasizes that the scripture is a verbally inspired record of what was said, including the words of |
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With Nothing but God by B.B. Caldwell | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job and how God stripped him of his wealth and health to deliver him from the pitfalls of Phariseeism. The preacher emphasizes t |
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Physicians of No Value by B.B. Caldwell | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of evangelism and spreading the word of God. He criticizes those who have been brainwashed and have become false teachers, le |
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Wilderness Testing by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of passing through difficult and perplexing situations in order to glorify God. He highlights the confidence and faith that be |
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(Through the Bible) Job 1-4 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job from the Bible. Job was a man who experienced extreme loss and suffering, losing his wealth, possessions, and even his child |
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The Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the story of God's love for the world and how He gave His only Son for the salvation of humanity. The sermon highlights the power of an endl |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Job 42
Matthew Henry's commentary on Job 42 emphasizes the significance of Job's repentance and humility, as he acknowledges God's sovereignty and submits to His will. Henry notes that God's address to Job's friends serves as a warning to all who would presume to speak on God's behalf without proper understanding. The commentary also highlights the blessings of restoration, as God gives Job twice as much as he had before, demonstrating His faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him. Ultimately, Henry sees Job's story as a testament to God's power to redeem and restore, pointing forward to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Job's Humility
Notice how Job's encounter with God transforms his attitude from one of questioning to one of humility and repentance. This shift is evident in Job 42:1-6, where Job acknowledges his limited understanding and submits to God's sovereignty.
God's Justice
Observe how God addresses Job's friends, condemning their foolish words and instructing them to offer sacrifices for their ignorance (Job 42:7-9). This demonstrates God's commitment to justice and His expectation of righteousness from those who claim to follow Him.
Restoration and Blessing
Note the extensive blessings God pours out on Job, including the restoration of his family, health, and wealth (Job 42:10-17). This serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and mercy towards those who trust in Him.