Poor Old Job

 

The story of Job has many lessons, and one important lesson can only be seen if we look at the whole of Job’s life.  Job lived to be 140 years old and for most of his life he was in good health and prospered in many ways.  He had lots of land and live stock and he had a large family.  Job wasn’t really poor at all, except for a short period of his life.

 Before Job’s “Dark Night of the Soul,” he was well off.  He had 10 children and great wealth, and he was respected throughout the land.  When bad “luck” struck him, it lasted only 9 months.  So the overall life of Job was very good.  He was healthy, wealthy and wise.

 When trouble came and he lost everything, even his health, he spent most of his time contemplating and speculating with his friends about this change of fortune.  It’s easy to get caught up in analyzing our problems, but that doesn’t necessarily solve them.

 The key point in turning Job’s life back into a life of blessing and prosperity was when Job prayed for his friends (Job 42:10).  Only then did God re-open the windows of heaven and bless Job with twice what he had before.  When you are a blessing to others, God blesses you.