Job 42:1-6

God spoke, and Job listened. Job had called God to the witness stand, but instead, God told Job to brace himself because questions would be directed at him. As the book’s narrative approaches its conclusion, Job’s words are few. First, he expresses his humility (40:1-5). Then, Job begins a statement of repentance by acknowledging God’s sovereignty. Job confesses:

Job 42:2
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

The reality of God’s sovereignty is woven throughout Scripture. One of the many instances where this truth is evident is in the book of Daniel, where the powerful Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar experienced a divinely ordained period of insanity. Following his recovery, the king stated,

Daniel 4:34-35
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

Job recounts one of the seventy questions that God posed to him and then admits his lack of understanding.

Job 42:3
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

Job’s challenge to God was heartfelt yet misguided. In his pain, he expressed thoughts he did not fully comprehend, which were too marvelous and beyond human understanding. Job acknowledges, “I should have kept my mouth shut.” God turned the tables on Job, saying with a hint of irony, “Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me” (Job 42:4). God asked Job where he was when God was creating the earth, hanging the stars, positioning the seas, and creating animals, many of which man cannot contain. The point God made was obvious!

Job 42:5-6
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; ⁶ therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Job confesses that he had heard of God before this experience, but now he feels he has seen God for the first time with his own eyes. When Job states that he despises himself, he is not expressing self-loathing. Instead, this conveys a sense of remorse. Job is essentially saying, “I take back everything I said.” His response signifies genuine repentance.

This raises a few questions: Why did Job need to repent? What had he done that required forgiveness? Let’s take some time to hopefully answer these.

First, we know that Job’s circumstance did not result from sin. God introduced Job as “a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8).

Secondly, when Job lost his children and wealth, he did not sin. He responded with worship by saying,

Job 1:21-22
…” Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” ²² In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Third, when Job lost his health, he “did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

Fourth, Job was not guilty of the sins that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar claimed must be the reason for the tragedies Job experienced. Throughout all their confrontations, Job never wavered in asserting his innocence (Job 27:2-6).

So where in all of this did Job commit his sin against God? Before the calamities struck, Job was blameless and maintained his integrity. However, through his suffering and devastation, Job grew bitter and proud. He sought to justify himself rather than God (Job 32:2). His questions were accusatory, demanding that the Almighty respond to him and explain the “why” of his pain. He wished to put God on the witness stand for interrogation. Job believed that by questioning God, he could demonstrate that God’s treatment was unfair. In time, Job’s words and motives reveal his arrogance.

Let me tread lightly here. These are my reflections, and I reiterate this with great care. I have observed that people often experience a kind of spiritual euphoria at the onset of trials. Following a cancer diagnosis or the death of a loved one, many individuals feel God’s presence strongly. God “is close to the brokenhearted” (Ps. 34:18 NIV). I remember one man who shared with me after his wife passed away, “I feel bad that I am not grieving more deeply.” However, a few months later, the heartache and pain struck. That’s the nature of grief. You can’t avoid it; you must confront it. I have seen individuals postpone it for a time, but they can never truly set it aside without facing the inevitable.

For some, the rounds of chemotherapy, illness, or disease begin to take a toll on them. I am not asserting that they lose their faith or curse God. However, bitterness can creep in, fostering a sense of knowing better than God, which can take root in the heart. Recall again how God introduced Job to Satan. God said, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8). Job never lost that standing, yet his words and attitude became critical of God. We see this in how Job concluded his defense: “Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)” (Job 31:35).

But then God spoke. Job declared, “I despise myself,” meaning, “I retract everything I have said!”

There was only one thing left for Job to do: repent. And that’s precisely what he does. We will discuss what repentance looks like tomorrow. But for now, picture Job in deep sorrow for his sin. That is where sin should drive us all. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Job 42:1-6. Focus on God’s response.

Talking to God
Is there anything you need to confess and repent? We’ll talk about the process tomorrow.

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as you explore God’s Word. Submit your question below, and we’ll reply soon. And if you don’t know where you stand with Jesus, we would love to have that conversation with you.

Check out my podcast with Ray Pritchard, in which he discusses suffering further. See The Journey with Ron Moore podcast Episode 34, “Keep Believing.”