Unbroken
Can what was lost ever truly be replaced?
And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. - Job 42:10-11
Some believe the final chapter of Job was not part of the original story, but that it was added to try to bring a positive conclusion to the suffering Job endured.
It does seem a little out of place, given God's tone earlier when he was reprimanding Job for questioning his authority and will.
I(f God doesn't restore Job's wealth and give him a new family, what would the story tell us about our lives and God?
Job's story is a challenge to the understanding of God's laws. It is believed that God will punish those who break the law and reward those who adhere to it, and yet in the story of Job, that gets turned on its head.
For us, it is a story that can bring a sense of comfort. We see an example of someone who does all the right things and yet suffers anyway, and that can either depress us or help us get through the tough times, knowing it isn't all our fault when bad things happen.
Job shows us we should not blame God nor shall we blame ourselves, but stand fast to our belief that we have done what is right and true.
Job comes through the story unbroken, and yet humbled by God. He discovers his righteousness is no match for God's awesome power and majesty. And in the end, he is restored.
It is this restoration that makes the whole experience too much of a game for me. I would have been happier if Job was healed of his afflictions and had to build his life up again.
But either way, Job is an example of resilience and fortitude against all odds. We may not want to go through what he endured, and God willing, we won't have to, but no matter what comes, we have him to look to for strength and courage.
And we can pray that God has a plan for us that has a happy ending.
More to come...