III. EPILOGUE 42:7-17

The book closes as it opened with a prose explanation by the inspired human writer. He gave us important information about Job's friends (vv. 7-9) and then Job's fortunes (vv. 10-17).

". . . Satan and Job's wife (who are prominent in the prologue as agents of evil who try to get Job to curse God) are intentionally omitted in the epilogue. This deliberate omission emphasizes a major teaching of the book, namely, that man's relationship to God is not a give-and-get' bargain nor a business contract of mutual benefit."¹⁹⁸

 A. Job's Friends 42:7-9

God addressed Eliphaz but also had Bildad and Zophar in view. He evidently excluded Elihu because he had not misrepresented God as the other three friends had. Their error was limiting God's sovereignty. By asserting that God always punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous in this life they were limiting God and committing a sin that required a sacrifice for atonement (covering). Modern prosperity theology advocates should take note!

Job evidently forgave his friends as God had forgiven him (cf. Matt. 6:12) and prayed for them as a priest (cf. 1:5; Matt. 5:44). Job stood as a mediator between his friends and God. He had previously felt the need of a mediator himself.

Rather than judging Job, God accepted him because he was indeed His "servant,"not the rebel that his friends accused him of being. The writer used the word "servant"four times in these verses.

 B. Job's Fortune 42:10-17

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).

Item

Before

After

Total

Sheep

7,000

7,000

14,000

Camels

3,000

3,000

6,000

Yoke of Oxen

500

500

1,000

Female Donkeys¹⁹⁹

500

500

1,000

Sons

7

7

14

Daughters

3

3

6

Age in Years²⁰⁰

70

140

210

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