Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Job

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Book of Job, one of the poetic books of the Old Testament, provides profound insights into the nature of suffering, divine sovereignty, and the power of prayer. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), experiences intense suffering and loss, which sets the stage for a deep exploration of faith and divine response.

Job's Initial Prayers and Lamentations

Job's journey begins with a series of catastrophic losses, including his wealth, children, and health. In his initial response, Job does not sin or charge God with wrongdoing (Job 1:22). Instead, he turns to God in prayer and lamentation. Job's prayers are characterized by raw honesty and a deep yearning for understanding. He cries out, "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11). These prayers reflect his profound anguish and desire for answers.

The Dialogues and Job's Plea for Vindication

Throughout the dialogues with his friends, Job maintains his integrity and continues to seek an audience with God. He expresses a desire for vindication and understanding, saying, "Oh, that I knew where to find Him, that I might come to His seat" (Job 23:3). Job's persistent prayers reveal his unwavering faith in God's justice, even when he cannot comprehend his circumstances.

God's Response to Job

After a lengthy discourse between Job and his friends, God finally answers Job out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1). God's response is not a direct answer to Job's questions but a series of rhetorical questions that highlight His omnipotence and wisdom. Through this divine encounter, Job gains a deeper understanding of God's majesty and his own limitations. Job responds with humility and repentance, saying, "I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).

Restoration and Final Prayers

Following Job's encounter with God, he prays for his friends, who had spoken wrongly about God (Job 42:8). God instructs Job's friends to offer sacrifices and promises to accept Job's prayer on their behalf. This act of intercession is significant, as it demonstrates Job's restored relationship with God and his role as a mediator. Subsequently, God restores Job's fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).

Theological Implications

The narrative of Job underscores several key theological themes regarding prayer. First, it illustrates the importance of honest and persistent prayer, even in the face of suffering and confusion. Job's prayers, though filled with anguish, are ultimately met with a divine response that leads to a deeper revelation of God's character. Second, the account highlights the power of intercessory prayer, as seen in Job's prayer for his friends, which results in their forgiveness and his own restoration.

In summary, the Book of Job offers a rich tapestry of insights into the nature of prayer, emphasizing the importance of faith, humility, and the pursuit of divine understanding amidst life's trials.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 42:10
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God Has Everything to do with Prayer
... for Job's three friends on Job's praying, and God's purposes in regard to Job were
brought ... Men cannot represent God who do not get answers to prayer from Him ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/iv god has everything to.htm

Prayer.
... to believe that there is a God who answers prayer; and that ... all His majesty, He is
one who heareth prayer; a being ... before or since, in the book of Job: and for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon iv prayer.htm

Putting God to Work
... intervening to deliver Job's friends in answer to Job's prayer. ... and the high position
which prayer obtains in ... saints and in accomplishing the answers to those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

Job
... The Almighty does listen; and He answers"not by referring to ... as we have already said,
the real vindication of Job is the efficacy of his prayer, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

Struggles of Conscience
... make me to know my transgression and my sin.""Job 13:23. ... It sometimes happens that
God answers this prayer by allowing a man to fall into more and more ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/struggles of conscience.htm

Prayer and Trouble (Continued)
... have received many delightful and helpful answers during the ... return to his father's
house, with prayer and confession ... for this among other reasons that Job says ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/vi prayer and trouble continued.htm

Anschar, Apostle of the North.
... Anschar experienced in his laborious and perilous life, many remarkable answers
to prayer. ... of a painful sickness, he would often say with Job: "Have we ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/anschar apostle of the north.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he ... and cried in vain for the answers
that could ... Their favoured dispensation of prayer was forgotten; they knew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Internal Affective Prayer of Contemplation Hath Always Been ...
... Job) and [111]St ... sum both of the account given by the VR Father Baltazar Alvarez
to his General touching his prayer, as likewise of his answers to the ...
/.../chapter vii internal affective prayer.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... cultivating are the Word of God, and prayer against the ... asks (ch.1, 8): "Hast thou
considered my servant Job? ... one that feareth God." And Satan answers on this ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm