THE REST OF THE STORY
Job 42

God began to speak to Job out of a storm as Elihu was concluding his presentation.   Job 38:1-3.
God then asked 89 questions concerning His creation and the operation of it, none of which Job
could answer.   Through these questions Job realized that his challenge to contend with God in a
court of law was presumptuous.

  1. Job's Changed Attitude.   Job 42.

    1. Job has a new understanding of the greatness and sovereignty of God.   Job 42:2.
    2. Job is overwhelmed and confesses his ignorance of God.   Job 42:2,3.
    3. Job knew about God but now has a new revelation of God's greatness, power and
      sovereignty.   Job 42:5.
    4. Always when God is seen and understood, there is a new understanding of one's self.
      Job 42:6; Isaiah 6:1-5.
      1. Job has questioned God's actions and justice, and that called for a change of
        mind on Job's part.
      2. Here is seen the meaning of the word repent - a change of mind.
    5. After Job's confession of repentance, God reprimands Eliphaz and his 2 friends for
      misrepresenting Him.   Job 42:7.
      1. They had insisted that suffering is a result of God's punishment for sin.
      2. This is not always true, and Job is a case in point.
    6. God commands the three friends of Job to offer seven bulls and seven rams as a burnt
      offering.   Job 42:8.   (This was a huge sacrifice and may have been a lesson about
      their sin of misrepresenting God.)
    7. Job forgave them and prayed for his friends.   Job 42:10.
    8. It appears that God's blessings upon Job were not dependent just upon repentance
      but also upon his forgiving those who had wronged him.
    9. The Lord blessed Job greatly.   Job 42:10.
      1. To have the full blessings of God upon our life we must not only confess all sin to
        God but also forgive and pray for those who have wronged us.
      2. When we refuse to forgive, we hurt ourselves the most and our relationship with
        the Lord.
    10. Job's friends and family came for fellowship and brought money for a new start.   Job
      42:11.
    11. God blessed Job with double the possessions of before, as well as ten more children,
      plus doubled the length of his life.   Job 42:12-17.
      1. This does not necessarily mean that all adversity will have a happy ending like
        Job's because often it does not.
      2. We do need to learn however that God always writes the final chapter, but it
        may not be until we get to Heaven.   Heb. 11:39.
      3. The book of Job reveals that God uses the pain of His children for some definite
        purpose.

77

  1. There Are At Least Nine Reasons Why God Allows Us To Experience Adversity.

    1. First, it causes the Bible to take on new meaning.
    2. Second, adversity often inspires others to have more faith.   II Cor. 11:6.
    3. Third, adversity makes us more compassionate toward others who are hurting.   II
      Cor. 1:4.
    4. Fourth, adversity causes us to reexamine our priorities.   James 4:14.
    5. Fifth, adversity accelerates spiritual growth.   Mark 4:35-41.
    6. Sixth, adversity makes us humble.   II Cor. 1:9.
    7. Seventh, adversity can make Heaven more attractive.
    8. Eighth, adversity may be redemptive.   Ps. 119:67.
      1. Suffering may prepare hearts for the Gospel.
      2. Many believers return to the Lord because of trials and suffering.
      3. As someone has said, "Some people never look up until they are flat on their
        backs."
    9. Ninth, adversity builds character.   Rom. 5:3,4.
      1. Sometimes such things as pride and arrogance are never recognized until there is
        suffering.
      2. Sometimes adversity spotlights attitudes and sins that hinder our spiritual
        usefulness and need to be removed.   John 15:2.

78

Go to [Next Section]