Job demonstrated a level of hubris in questioning God’s justice; yet one of the Book’s innumerable lessons is that only one who lived such an unblemished life could so connect with the Lord and serve as a guiding light.
In this revelatory chapter, Job recognizes God’s omnipotence while absorbing the impossibility of understanding of God’s ways and jurisprudence.
The Lord has moved past describing the terrifying Behemoth and Leviathan. He also took Job through the beauty and tragedy of life -- from the depths of the sea to the far reaches of the universe. Job comes to embrace that infinite wonders that lie beyond his comprehension.
Job announces -- Through the ear (ear’s rumor), I heard of thee; but now my eye seeth thee. This can also be translated -- By rumor I heard of you; yet now I hear you directly. Job continues -- I know Thou can do anything. There is no devising beyond you. No thought can be hidden from thee. No purpose of Yours, denied.
Job concedes having no understanding of his previous words and abhors his former intransigence. He asks for the chance to atone and repents in dust and ashes.
The Lord then turns to Eliphaz and says, My Wrath has flared against thee and your two companions because you have not spoken rightly of me as my servant Job has. He commands Job’s friends prepare sacrifices (seven bulls and seven rams) and to go to Job. The friends will make the burnt offering, but must petition Job to pray on their behalf. The Lord is angry because the friends view the theory of “reward and punishment” as THE theory of life. The Book seems to imply that “reap & sow” is part of it; but God’s justice is so much more! All of life, including trials and sufferings, serve God’s purposes.
The three friends went out and did all the Lord commanded. Elihu, however, was not mentioned. Job prayed on their behalf without resentment for his treatment by the Lord, Satan, and his friends. Job didn’t dwell in the unfairness of the past. He moves on, looking outward and upward. It was at this point Job was restored and the Lord Blessed Job’s latter days more than the former.
Job was immediately accepted back into society. His kinfolk came before him and broke bread. They grieved and comforted Job over all that was lost, most notably his children. Each gave Job something of value.
Job was again blessed with 7 sons and 3 daughters. His daughters were given priority and were the only children given names. The first was called Jeminah, meaning Dove, Turtle-Dove or Day-Bright. The second he called Keziah, which can mean cinnamon or fragrance. The last was named Qeren Hapukh, meaning Horn of Eyeshade or Beauty. And Job gave his daughters an equal estate among their Brothers. His household was once again bountiful and he acquired 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 she-asses.
And Job lived 140 years, seeing his children, and children’s children -- 4 generations of them. Finally, Job died, aged and sated in days.