Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Job

◄ Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Job ►

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The account of Job, found in the Old Testament, serves as a profound narrative on the nature of suffering, faith, and divine blessing. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), experiences severe trials that test his faith and integrity. Despite his suffering, Job's account ultimately illustrates the temporal blessings bestowed by God as a testament to His sovereignty and grace.

Initial Prosperity and Subsequent Trials

Job's life begins with abundant blessings from God. He is depicted as a wealthy man, possessing vast flocks, herds, and a large household, making him "the greatest man of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3). His prosperity is a reflection of God's favor and the righteousness with which Job conducts his life.

However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn when Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is solely due to his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, resulting in the loss of his children, wealth, and health. Despite these calamities, Job remains steadfast in his faith, famously declaring, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Restoration and Temporal Blessings

After a series of dialogues with his friends and a profound encounter with God, Job's fortunes are restored. God rebukes Job's friends for their misguided counsel and instructs them to offer sacrifices, with Job praying on their behalf. This act of intercession marks the beginning of Job's restoration.

The Scriptures recount that "the LORD restored Job’s prosperity and doubled his former possessions" (Job 42:10). Job receives twice as much as he had before, including fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys (Job 42:12). Additionally, Job is blessed with seven sons and three daughters, the latter of whom are noted for their beauty and receive an inheritance alongside their brothers (Job 42:13-15).

Significance of Temporal Blessings

The temporal blessings bestowed upon Job serve multiple purposes within the narrative. They affirm God's justice and the principle that faithfulness, even amidst suffering, is ultimately rewarded. Job's restoration underscores the theme of divine sovereignty, illustrating that God's purposes transcend human understanding and that His blessings, though sometimes delayed, are assured for those who remain faithful.

Moreover, the blessings highlight the transient nature of earthly possessions and the ultimate value of spiritual integrity. Job's account encourages believers to trust in God's wisdom and timing, recognizing that temporal blessings, while significant, are secondary to the eternal relationship with the Creator.

Conclusion of Job's Life

The account concludes with Job living a long and fulfilled life, witnessing four generations of his descendants. "After this, Job lived 140 years and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, old and full of years" (Job 42:16-17). This final note on Job's life encapsulates the temporal blessings he received from God, serving as a testament to his enduring faith and God's unwavering faithfulness.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 1:10
Have not you made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? you have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Nave's Topical Index

Job 42:10,12
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Letter xix. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence Upon Him for ...
... anxious concern about the supply of our temporal wants, since ... But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his ... Lord will give us every earthly blessing which we ...
/.../letter xix submission to the.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... to God with regard to things both temporal and spiritual ... in the earnestness that
lays hold of God, determined not to let Him go until the blessing comes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Blessed Adversity.
... approval largely, though not solely, by the bestowal of temporal blessings. Is there
no analogous spiritual blessing to be enjoyed now-a-days ... Thank GOD, there is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/blessed adversity.htm

"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind ...
... nothing"your meat and drink is no blessing, your table ... gone up to heaven, and hath
engaged God's anger against ... If you will not fear temporal judgments, yet I ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii and we all.htm

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... The whirlwind of temporal judgments makes no distinctions between ... A friend of God
will hold fast by the ... that the righteous are sources of blessing and shields ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

The Doctrine of God
... Him to seek the welfare, both temporal and spiritual ... kindness is that attribute of
God which leads ... upon His obedient children His constant and choice blessing. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

Job's Regret and Our Own
... IF Job here refers to the temporal prosperity which he had ... upon his head, and the
secret of God was not ... practically serviceable to us, by the blessing of God's ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/jobs regret and our own.htm

The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and ...
... of it."3. By the consideration of temporal mercies."4 ... to virtue and happiness by
his blessing on your ... I hope to the happiest purpose, Where is God my Maker ...
/.../chapter xxvii the advanced christian.htm

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
... loving-kindness, whereby thou dost with thy temporal judgments draw ... and helper, as
that, by thy blessing upon the ... be not expired (Job 14:5)"God will either ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer when one begins.htm

Daily Blessings for God's People
... be to God, who sends us temporal and spiritual ... We have certainly abounding cause
for blessing and praising ... something wrong with you if you cannot praise God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/daily blessings for gods people.htm