Notice that God began to prosper Job again after he interceded for his friends (v. 10), not just after he repented. His willingness to pray for his enemies showed the genuineness of the transformation that had taken place in his heart. He no longer felt antagonistic toward God but accepting of his enemies (cf. Matt. 6:15).
The Lord increased all that Job possessed twofold (v. 10).
The names of Job's daughters (v. 14) corroborate the statement that they were exceptionally beautiful (v. 15). "Jemimah"means "dove,""Keziah"means "perfume,"and "Keren-happuch"means "horn of eye paint."The reference to Job giving them an inheritance with their brothers, an unusual practice in the ancient Near East, reflects the extent of Job's wealth and compassion.
Does the fact that God eventually blessed Job materially in life for his godliness prove Job's three friends were right after all? Is the basis of man's relationship with God really retribution? No, God did not reward Job in life primarily because he was good but because God is gracious.201The basis of people's relationship with God is grace. The Book of Job does not deny the fact that God blesses the righteous. However, it shows that this principle has exceptions if we look at life only this side of the grave. Because God is sovereign He can deal with anyone as He chooses for reasons only He knows. Nevertheless He always deals justly (cf. Rom. 9:14).
"The restoration of Job's prosperity was not the reward of his piety, but the indication that the trial was over. Any judge who left a defendant to languish in prison after he had been declared innocent would be condemned as iniquitous, and if Job's trials had continued after he was acquitted it would have been similarly iniquitous."202
