Job: Ongoing Repentance

Job 42:7-9

So, let’s suppose someone has hurt you. Their words were reckless and pierced like a sword. They insisted that you had done something wrong and refused to listen to your defense. They came at you again and again. And then…God told you to pray for them. That is what God instructed Job to do. 

Job 1-2 are written in narrative form, Job 3-42:6 in poetry, and from Job 42:7 to the end of the book, the text returns to the narrative. This shift is appropriate because God has directives for Job’s three friends.  

God rebukes Eliphaz, the oldest of the friends, to let him know, “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:7). 

Wait a second…does God get angry? Yes, he does! Psalm 7:11 states, “God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.” We understand that God doesn’t sin, so can one be angry without sinning? Again, the answer is yes! We can be angry and not sin (Eph. 4:26-27), and God, who cannot sin, expresses his anger in complete righteousness. 

One more question: Why does God become angry? God shows anger when his character is violated.[1] This was the issue with the arguments that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar presented to Job. They misrepresented God’s character by promoting a prosperity theology that distorted his justice, overlooked his mercy, and limited his sovereignty. They accused Job of a great sin, but their accusations reflected their wrongdoing. God provided them with specific instructions for repentance.

Job 42:8
Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves.

The sacrifice required for the atonement of their sins was significant. Seven bulls and seven rams would be surrendered entirely to God as burnt offerings. These animals served as substitutes for the penalty of sin. Animal sacrificing in the Old Testament had two purposes: the animal died receiving the just punishment for sin on behalf of the worshiper, and sacrifices were repeated to cover the believer’s ongoing sins. However, in the New Testament, Jesus came as the one-time-for-all-time sacrifice. 

Hebrews 10:3-10
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

The offerings served as the sacrificial system until Jesus came. The three friends acted according to God's instructions. They were to offer the animals, and Job would serve as their mediator. 

Job 42:8b-9
And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. 

Job was the go-between for his friends, just as he had been for his children. We read in Job 1:5 that after their celebrations, he offered burnt offerings and prayed for them. Job's role as a priest has been restored. Notice that in the passage we read today, God refers to Job four times as “my servant.” God accepted the prayer of his servant on behalf of his friends. 

What grace Job demonstrated! His friends were brutal in their treatment of him, causing as much emotional pain as his oozing sores inflicted physical pain. Now, he prays to God for their forgiveness, revealing Job’s heart for God. Bible scholar Roy Zuck says:

Job had longed for a mediator between himself and God (16:19–21) since his three countrymen were not interceding for him; but ironically he himself became a mediator for them, even though they did not ask for one.[2]

After a recent service at our church, a high school student stopped me and asked, “I’ve been reading Job, and I noticed that God addresses the three friends, but he didn’t address Elihu. Why?” I thought that was a very insightful question. Here are my thoughts. Remember, before Elihu presented his argument, Job had made serious accusations against God. Although God does respond, he allows Job time to cool down and uses Elihu to facilitate this. While Elihu speaks somewhat arrogantly, his message is largely accurate, and he is closer to the truth than the other three. Unlike them, Elihu did not misrepresent God’s character, Instead, he helped Job prepare for his meeting with God. 

One more thing. I am still amazed at Job's prayer for his friends. Let me end with Jesus’ words.

Matthew 5:43-45
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Job 42:7-9. What do you learn about God in these verses?   

Talking to God
Talk to God about those who have hurt you and pray for them. 

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