At the start of this final chapter, Job responds to the LORD’s Word. He does not say, “OK, now I get it. Everything makes perfect sense to me now!” Rather, he acknowledges God’s unlimited power and unfailing purpose, confident that He is sovereign over all things, including supernatural evil (v 2). Echoing God’s argument, he says, “Who is this that darkens counsel without knowledge?” (38:2). Then without a trace of self-justification, Job confesses that he had spoken of things he did not understand, “things too wonderful for me” (v 3). In fact, so much has been revealed to Job that he has come to see God with much greater clarity than ever before (v 4-5). “Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (v 6). Job is not admitting that his friends were right after all. He’s not repenting of any secret sins that brought on his suffering. But he’s turning to God in deep contrition for accusing Him of injustice and demanding an explanation for his suffering. Then God clearly vindicates Job, rebuking his three friends for not having “spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” And in an ironic reversal, they are told that Job will pray for them! Though they have been condemning Job, they are the guilty ones. By their graceless theology, they have spoken falsely of God, and forgiveness will come through Job’s intercession. The one who had longed for a mediator becomes the mediator himself, foreshadowing Christ, the true and final mediator between God and people (v 7-9; 1 Tim 2:5). The drama ends in a way that many skeptics find unsatisfactory. Every loss is compensated as blessings multiply all around Job. His wealth is restored and doubled. Those who knew him previously now extend genuine mercy and compassion, dignity and honor. He is given a new and bigger family, with daughters of legendary beauty. And Job lives double the normal life span, enjoying life with four generations of his descendants (v 10-17). The take-away for us is not that faithful believers are guaranteed a happy ending in this life. As the end of the book, Job 42 anticipates the end of history, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns in glory. Often we do get blessed now. But these blessings are a tiny foretaste of the blessings to be poured out at the end. These will be real, physical blessings in the new heavens and the new earth. But until then, the normal Christian life involves suffering and waiting. We follow a Savior who endured the cross before taking His seat at God’s right hand. “So let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” For further meditation: