Twice as Much

The Story

Job was a good man who loved God. He had a large family, great wealth, and the respect of everyone around him.

Then, in a single day, he lost almost everything. Raiders stole his oxen and donkeys. Fire fell and burned up his sheep. His camels were taken. And worst of all, a great wind struck the house where his ten children were gathered, and it collapsed on them.

Job tore his robe and fell to the ground. And he worshiped. “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Then his own health was struck. He was covered in painful sores from head to toe. Three friends came to comfort him, but instead they spent chapter after chapter insisting that Job must have done something to deserve this. Job poured out his grief and his questions to God.

Finally, God spoke out of a whirlwind. He didn’t explain the reasons for Job’s suffering. Instead, He showed Job His greatness, and Job bowed in humility.

Then God told Job’s friends they had been wrong, and He asked Job to pray for them. When Job prayed for the very friends who had hurt him, God restored his fortunes. He gave Job twice as much as he had before, and Job had ten more children. He lived to see four generations of his family.

Reflection