Before we become a child of God, we were under the captivity of sin

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. 

After God had finished His speech, Job realized his sin that he had charged God foolishly and repented of his sins (v.3). God forgave him and rebuked his three friends (v.7). What was the end result of Job? “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” (v.10).

What can we learn from this verse?

1. The LORD Turned The Captivity Of Job

The word captivity means prisoner. Job was a prisoner to his suffering. God set Job free from the prison holding him captive. God allowed Satan to afflict Job; God released him today. It signifies a restoration to former happy circumstances; Job has been set free today.

Before we become a child of God, we were under the captivity of sin. Sin ruled us and held us prisoners by our sins. But Christ came and freed us from this captivity. “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive” (Ephesians 4: 8). Christ turned our captivity captive: He took our sins and sent them back to where they belong.

The experience of Job teaches us that godly believers can be captured by the devil. Therefore, the apostle Peter warns us to be watchful and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). Be watchful brethren therefore, that we do not return and become prisoners of our sins again.

2. Job Prayed For His Friends

Job’s friend had accused him falsely and said some mean things about him; but Job forgave and interceded for them. Forgive and be forgiven; mercy can be shown only to the merciful: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Mathew 5: 7).

A good man will not only pray for himself and those he loves but also for unkind friends, and even for enemies: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

3. The LORD Gave Job Twice As Much As He Had Before

When we believe and trust God through the circumstances, situations, and trials of life, the product is always blessing: The end will be better than the beginning. James says: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

Season of loss will have us to contemplate if it is really worth to serve the Lord? Is it worth to remain faithful in spite of sufferings? The faithful knows that the best days are ahead of them. God's counsels are a great deep which we cannot fathom. You may never know the reason why you suffer in spite of your faithfulness and services to the Almighty. But brethren, know this for certain: The faithful ones who endure to the end will have a happy ending – just as Job: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev 2: 10).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.