Topical Bible: God in Prospering Job

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Topical Encyclopedia

The narrative of Job, found in the Book of Job, is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine sovereignty. Within this narrative, God's role in prospering Job is a significant theme that underscores the relationship between divine blessing and human righteousness.

Divine Blessing and Prosperity

At the outset of the Book of Job, Job is described as a man of exceptional piety and integrity. "He was the greatest man of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3). This greatness is attributed to both his moral character and his material wealth, which are seen as blessings from God. Job's prosperity includes vast flocks, numerous servants, and a large family, all of which signify divine favor.

Satan's Challenge and God's Sovereignty

The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job's righteousness is contingent upon his prosperity. Satan posits, "Does Job fear God for nothing?" (Job 1:9). In response, God permits Satan to test Job, first by removing his possessions and children, and then by afflicting him with severe physical suffering. This divine permission highlights God's sovereignty over all creation, including the adversarial forces.

Job's Faithfulness Amidst Suffering

Despite the loss of his wealth, children, and health, Job remains steadfast in his faith. He famously declares, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's unwavering faith, even in the absence of prosperity, serves as a testament to his genuine devotion to God, independent of material blessings.

Restoration and Greater Prosperity

After a series of dialogues and divine discourses, God restores Job's fortunes. The text states, "The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12). Job receives double the wealth he had before, new children, and a long life. This restoration is not merely a return to former prosperity but an amplification of it, signifying God's abundant grace and the ultimate vindication of Job's righteousness.

Theological Implications

The account of God prospering Job raises important theological questions about the nature of divine justice and the relationship between righteousness and material blessing. While Job's initial prosperity is depicted as a reward for his piety, the narrative ultimately emphasizes that true faith is not dependent on material wealth. God's restoration of Job serves as a reminder of His sovereignty and the inscrutable nature of His purposes.

In the account of Job, prosperity is both a test and a testament. It is a test of Job's faithfulness and a testament to God's power to bless abundantly. The narrative invites believers to trust in God's wisdom and goodness, regardless of their circumstances, affirming that divine prosperity is ultimately rooted in a relationship with God rather than in material abundance.

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

God.
... Job 20:17 ... There is a man never well, never prospering, never but under afflictions ...
it were lawful, pray that they might always be in affliction, if God would but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

What Life May be Made
... affliction is a sign of sin, Job's afflictions are ... If we delight in God, hold communion
with Him ... have known Him as answering prayer, prospering our purposes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/what life may be made.htm

"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind ...
... correcteth them, they follow the counsel of Job's wife, curse ... it is joined with the
wind of God's displeasure. ... The wicked's prospering is like a green bay tree ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii and we all.htm

It Has Unique Claims Upon Us.
... Like Job, we ought to be able to say, "I have ... have most honored God's Word have been
most honored by God. ... the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/v it has unique claims.htm

1 Cor. xi. 28
... he ascends to the good pleasure of God, and saith ... name of the Lord for ever." (Job
2:21 ... extremity; but evil men and impostors, prospering, luxurious, revelling ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 1 cor xi.htm

The Poetical Books.
... This argument Job indignantly repels ... knows that bad men round about him are prospering,
while he ... fierce indignation, and leads him to charge God with injustice ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

Matt. x. 16
... "And what," saith one, "did Job suffer more ... Fourthly, his supposing that at God's
hands he was ... his seeing such as lived in wickedness prospering, and exulting ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxiii matt x 16.htm

Second Instruction.
... Hear, at least, what he says concerning Job. ... not even the devil himself; and not
only is this wonderful, that God hath made ... Hast thou seen another prospering? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/second instruction.htm

Alive or Dead --Which?
... That work may be prospering within them, but through the ... of peace and joy; and peace
with God and joy in ... Job says of the hypocrite, "Will he delight himself in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/alive or deadwhich.htm

Comfort for the Desponding
... I know whom I have believed,' and with Job, I know ... your leaf never withering, and
whatsoever you do prospering. ... but without one single jewel that God has given ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/comfort for the desponding.htm