Job was a man who suffered.

He lost everything; his home, his possessions, his family, and his health. And yet, he remained faithful to God, refusing to course His Creator and Lord. (If you’re unfamiliar with his story, you can read it here.)

The book ends with the 42nd chapter, and the conclusion of Job’s life-long trial is revealed. Job begins by responding to his Sovereign Lord with these words:

“‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.  You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”” (Job 42:2-6)

After Job’s response, we see that God takes care of Job’s worthless friends. Then, He restores and blesses Job beyond everything that he ever had, including a new wife and ten children.

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

The full chapter is a truly incredible passage of Scripture, showing us the steadfast long-suffering of Job, blessed by God because of his faithfulness and perseverance in suffering.

The blessing of family.

It’s one thing for God to replace all of Job’s wealth and possessions, but what about his family? God took care of that as well. Once Job had been restored, we read about his siblings coming to comfort him after his ordeal.

“Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.” (Job 42:11)

Perhaps this was a pivotal time of corporate mourning for Job’s extended family? Surely, these siblings would have also experienced some sorrow at the passing of their family members. It seems to have been a time of returning and restoring family ties.

The blessing of children.

God grants Job the opportunity to be a father again, blessing him with, “seven sons and three daughters.” (Job 42:13) To be given 10 children would have been an overwhelming joy for Job!

Is God replacing the children Job lost? In a way, yes, but I’m sure you’ll agree that a child can never be ‘replaced’. I doubt Job’s new children would ever fulfill his longing for the ones he lost. And yet, we need to remember the context of this moment in history and the extent of Job’s suffering.

We need to understand that Job was all alone, expecting to die. Now, all of a sudden, God has blessed him with a second chance at life, and it will be a shared life with children! Of course, it isn’t hard to imagine that his new children would bring back memories of the ones he lost.

With that in mind, it was likely a bitter-sweet experience for Job, as each child was born, recognizing the sorrow of losing his first family, yet realizing the joy of having a new one.

Choosing to remain faithful.

Job was a man who lived far beyond the righteousness of most of us today. He remained faithful to God’s plan and provision. In return, Job was able to live two equally fulfilling lives; one before the sorrow and one after. His choice to remain faithful was rewarded.

Maybe you’ve just entered a time of sorrow? Maybe you’re just coming out of one? Don’t give up! Don’t stop praying; don’t stop crying out to God. He sees you. He is faithful. He has a plan

I can’t promise it won’t hurt, but joy is also coming! Hope is on the way! Continue to endure and persevere. Choose faithfulness. And like Job, you will experience blessing once again. You will be able to live a new life after this sorrow has ended.