The forgiveness of Job

And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:10 NKJV

I’ve been inspired by Job’s story for many years, but this time of reading through it, I learned an incredible lesson about forgiveness.

Job had lost all his wealth, the care of his wife, and every single one of his children died in the same day.

As if this wasn’t enough his health breaks down and he’s covered from head to toe in extremely painful and ugly sores.

He had three friends who heard of his plight and came to comfort him in his sorrow.

When they first saw him, they didn’t recognize him, were struck with grief and sat for days in silent mourning with Job.

Then, they began speaking, and accused Job of secret sins which brought all this tragedy on him as severe punishment from God.

When Job denies it, they grow abusive in their comments, berating Job for a hard heart and rebellion against God.

Everything changes when God shows up.

Job 42:7-9NKJV — And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job.

The next verse is profound.

Job 42:10 NKJV — And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job prayed for his three friends who had recently been so unkind.

Here is the man who has lost everything and God is requesting he give even more to those who least deserve it.

Job had to have forgiven these three to pray sincerely for them.

And he did.

Job didn’t bargain with God.

He didn’t argue with God.

Job didn’t hesitate; he prayed.

God responded.

He forgave these three friends and restored Job to his previous standard plus more.

The key to how Job could do quickly forgive is this:

Job 42:5-6 NKJV — “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.Job Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

Job had seen God and it changed everything.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for recording this story of Job’s. Thank You that You hold all truths in Your hands. Thank You that You see all of us, each one. You know us better than we know ourselves. You love us so much You paid the highest price, for who can repay God is only Son? It’s not as if one man died for another. It’s the Creator of the universe chose to be clothed in human form and died for all mankind. If You put such a high price on purchasing our forgiveness from sin, we should definitely be quick to forgive one another. Lord, thank You that Job walked through all these trials and yet never blamed You, never turned away from You. Lord, let that be me and my family. Let us always praise You and seek Your face, forgiving as we have been forgiven, loving as we have loved. Thank You, Lord. Amen.