Job’s Restoration/David’s Redemption

 Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalms 34:1-8, 19-22

 After Job has a long talk from God, Job answers acknowledging his own lack of knowledge compared with God’s. He talks about uttering things he did not understand. Now after hearing and seeing God he repents in dust and ashes. What is his reward for this humility? God not only delivers him from all his troubles, but God restores his fortunes twice as much as he had before. He lives till 140 seeing four generations.

In the 34th Psalm, David praises God for deliverance from trouble. He addresses the myth that the righteous have no troubles – just ask Job. David says in verse 19 that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will rescue them from them all. He brings up the point, however, that God is with us during our struggles. This suffering soul cried out and was heard by God who saved him from every trouble. He tells how the angel of the Lord surrounds those who fear him and delivers them.

Verse 8 talks about tasting to see that the Lord is good. The word taste could be replaced with judge or discern that the Lord is good. He also tells how not one bone is broken. In Job’s suffering his bones stayed intact.

Humility like Job’s realizing God’s knowledge is too great for him leading him to repentance in dust and ashes, is seen in Psalms 34:2 where David tells the soul to only boast in the Lord and to let the humble hear and be glad. David realizes the greatness of the Lord and asks all to magnify – translated tell of the Lord’s greatness and exalt God’s name. He tells of seeking the Lord and being answered by God and how the Lord rescued him from all his fears.

God’s answer doesn’t seem to be as dramatic as Job’s, yet David’s troubles were less than Job’s by far. Instead of him declaring restoration of fortunes he talks about how the Lord will redeem – save the lives of God’s servants. None who take refuge in God will be condemned – held responsible for anything.

David here is not saying God will repay you like Job, but God will pull you through the hard times. For this we can humbly praise and extol God. Amen.

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