job 42:5

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Job 42:5

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody
Job 42:5
Verse 5 of 17

Scripture focus

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Job 42:5KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Job 42:5

Theological / Devotional

But now. Job admits that his previous knowledge of God was based on hearsay. Now he has achieved a firsthand knowledge. The most important lesson of the book of Job is found in this text. In this statement Job reveals the transition from a religious experience shaped by tradition to an experience based on personal communion with God. According to the tradition in which he had been reared, the righteous were not supposed to suffer. From his youth up Job had heard that God would deliver the righteous from all evil in this present life. But when he met suffering he was thrown into confusion, because it was contrary to what he had heard about God. His confusion was augmented by the attitude of his friends. Now Job has seen God. He knows that God possesses infinite power and graciousness, and he also knows that, even though he may suffer, he is God’s child. God has made no attempt to explain to him why he suffers, but he is convinced that, whatever the reason, he need have no misgivings.

Job’s experience has taught him the meaning of faith. His vision of God has enabled him to surrender to the divine will. His commitment to God is now unaffected by his circumstances. He no longer expects temporal blessings as an evidence of Heaven’s favor. His relationship to God is now on a firmer, more dependable basis than before. Job finds a solution to his problems when he discovers that God is not limited by the traditions men have developed concerning Him. This broader understanding that Job reveals when he says, “Now mine eye seeth thee,” is akin to the experience of faith that is emphasized so strongly throughout the Scriptures, especially in the Gospel of John and the epistles to the Romans and the Galatians (John 1:12-17; Romans 8:1-8; Galatians 4:3-7).

By SdaBc