Job 42:1-17

42:1-6 | Job did not confess any of the sins that Eliphaz accused him of or say any of what Eliphaz told him to say – because he was guiltless of all these things. Job’s folly was in making judgments about matters he did not understand – especially disputing with God over His justice.

42:5-6 | God did not condemn Job for any sin or foolishness. He did, though, charge Job for mistakenly and arrogantly asserting that he could better explain what was happening in the world and better order and control its affairs. Job was wrong on both counts. Therefore, Job said, I repent in dust and ashes.

42:7-8 | Eliphaz was the oldest of the group, so God addressed His rebuke to him. The sacrifice required for the three men was staggering (enough for all of Israel) and shows the great error of their counsel. Anyone who speaks on behalf of God must make sure his or her words reflect the Word of God and represent His character. Human opinion is worth nothing.

42:7-17 | The text returns to prose instead of poetic language in the epilogue. The final picture of Job mirrors the opening picture of him in chapter 1. God restored Job – not as payment for Job’s sacrifice but as a gift.

42:10-17 | Yahweh restored the fortune and family of Job to a level surpassing that at the beginning of the book.

42:10 | Job prayed for his friends – evidence that Job’s heart was no longer filled with resentment or bitterness toward them. Job not only forgave his friends but experienced the forgiveness of God for himself.

42:12-14 | God gave Job back twice as much as he lost, including another 10 children. These did not replace the first 10 but were added to them. Between heaven and earth, he had 20 children.

42:14 | The three names Job gave his daughters were Peace, Fragrance, and Beauty.

42:15 | The book ends as it begins – with a positive picture of Job and focused on his just character. Job acknowledged all of his children as equals in the inheritance he left them – a rarity in ancient times.

42:16-17 | Job lived 140 years longer, so he probably lived to be 210 years old – a typical lifespan for the patriarchal age. Old and full of days is an idiom that means Job lived a rich, full life all the way to the end.

“If we know God, we do not need to know why He allows us to experience what we do. He is not only in control of the universe and all its facets but also of our lives; and He loves us. Though His ways are sometimes beyond our comprehension, we should not criticize Him for His dealings with us or with others. God is always in control of all things, even when He appears not to be.” – Charles Ryrie