Job 42:12-17: a reflection

12So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 13He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14He called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren Happuch. 15In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations. 17So Job died, being old and full of days.

After all Job's suffering, the loss of his children, his wealth, his health, and the long anguish of his trial, the book ends with restoration: the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. He was given new wealth, new children, and long years, and he died old and full of days. The one who had lost everything and cried out in the depths of grief was, in the end, restored and blessed by God.

Notice that Job's story does not end in his suffering, but in restoration. The long middle of the book is all anguish and loss and unanswered questions; but that was not the end. God brought Job through the suffering to a latter end of blessing, restoring what had been lost and more. This does not mean the earlier suffering was not real, or that the lost children were simply replaced; but it means that for those who are God's, suffering is not the final word, and there is a latter end beyond the trial.

That is a hope worth holding through our own trials. When we are in the long middle of suffering, it can seem that the anguish is all there is, that loss and grief are the end of the story. But Job's story reminds us that for God's people, suffering is not the final chapter; there is a latter end. This is not a promise that every loss will be restored in this life, as Job's was; the fullest restoration is beyond this life, in the resurrection, where God will wipe away every tear. But hold onto the hope that your suffering is not the end of your story. God brought Job to a latter end of blessing, and for those who are his, there is a latter end beyond every trial, when God will restore and bless beyond all we have lost.

Lord, after all Job's suffering and loss, the book ends with restoration: you blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning, and he died old and full of days. Give me hope from that through my own trials. When I am in the long middle of suffering, it can seem that the anguish is all there is, that loss and grief are the end of the story. But Job's story reminds me that for your people, suffering is not the final chapter; there is a latter end. I know this is not a promise that every loss will be restored in this life, as Job's was; the fullest restoration is beyond this life, in the resurrection, where you will wipe away every tear. But help me hold onto the hope that my suffering is not the end of my story. You brought Job to a latter end of blessing, and for those who are yours, there is a latter end beyond every trial. Help me trust you through the long middle, looking to the restoration you will bring.