Through his sufferings, Job did what most people would do. He cried, complained, groaned, and grumbled. He wanted answers. “Are you one of the bad guys?” Job questioned God. “I’m innocent! So why am I suffering so much?” When God finally spoke out of a whirlwind, he didn’t answer Job’s questions, at least not directly. But he did help. He helped Job see that God was God and Job was not. He gave Job wisdom, which is what Job needed more than his health and wealth.

God gave Job wisdom by asking lots of questions: “Where were you when I made the world? Can you number the clouds? Do you rule over the animals? Do you know everything there is to know?” Question after question reminded Job that God alone is Creator and that God lovingly cares for every creature and every part of his vast and mind-blowing creation. He gives the eagle its sight, the hippo its strength, and the ostrich its stupidity. He controls the stars and seas.

Job got God’s point! He was humbled. He said to God, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4). He also realized that he needed to say that he was sorry. “I repent,” Job said. “You can do all things, God, and no power in the universe can stop you. I will stop talking and start listening. I have heard about you, but now I heard from you. You have opened my eyes. I finally see that I wasn’t seeing right” (see 42:2–6). God was pleased with Job’s responses. But he wasn’t so pleased with Job’s so-called friends. They didn’t speak the truth about Job or him. But God still forgave them. Job, his faithful servant, offered a prayer and sacrifice to cleanse them from their many sins. God accepted this worship and blessed Job. Job didn’t live happily ever after, but he got close. God restored Job’s fortunes, giving him ten more children and even more animals and servants than he had before. But Job’s greatest blessing, in good times and bad, was God himself.