We have looked at what God restored to Job in terms of physical blessings, but more important, what was the spiritual treasure that he now possessed? If he merely got back that which he lost in terms of this world, could we not say that Job suffered needlessly? What did Job now see about God and himself that was the real purpose behind his trial? He saw that God was a personal being—one that could see and hear and communicate with man; and one with whom man might have a real relationship. Job was as most people—he knew about God, but he didn’t know God. He was not personally acquainted with Him. He did not know His voice, understand His heart, or have a sense of who the being of God was really like. It is one thing to have certain knowledge about someone, it is altogether more intimate to have a personal relationship with them and truly know them.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Psa 94:8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

I John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

I John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Job saw how almighty God is, both in power and in wisdom. By using examples in nature God showed him a glimpse of His power in creation, His greatness in the vastness of the universe, how intricate in every detail of creating and sustaining His creatures, and how all-wise in His design of the created world and the creatures therein. Job saw that every event was under God’s control, and that nothing happened without His knowledge or permission. Job saw that God could see his inner thoughts, know his feelings, understand his emotions, and that He knew the questions Job had about God’s fairness and justice. Job saw that everything in his life was an open book to God, and that God was deeply involved in Job’s life.

Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Matt 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Isa 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Psa 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

In contrast to God, Job also saw himself. When one begins to see the Living God, one cannot but begin to reflect upon his own condition. When the light of God begins to shine into the darkness of our souls, we begin to see our hideousness, our filth, our unrighteousness. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit—the perfect Law of God—their eyes were opened, and they knew they were naked. They ran from the light of God’s presence into the darkness of sin. Mankind, except for those whose eyes have been opened, live in the caves of this world, oblivious to the light that shines on the outside. They are, moreover, content to live in this underworld ruled by sin and Satan. Even if they are called to come out into the light, they will not, except God draw them out.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Job saw that all his life was but a vain show. That he had lived as one who was truly pious—who professed to know God; who fulfilled all the religious obligations both for himself and his family; that he spoke religious platitudes even in his sufferings; but the true motivation of his heart had been revealed. He saw that he gloried in his honor before men, and enjoyed his status as a champion of the widows and fatherless; that he took pride in his integrity, and enjoyed having others respect and fear him. However, now he saw that all of his righteousnesses were as filthy menstrual cloths or the bandages of a leper before God. He saw that all of his offerings and sacrifices that he presented to God were for the wrong reasons, and were meaningless to him and to God. He also saw that most of his good works were not done out of a heart of love and benevolence for others, but for his own self-honor.

Psa 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isa 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

Finally, Job saw that the hope of his salvation was only through the mercy and grace of God. He had repented from holding onto his integrity and his “dead works”; and he had confessed his own sinfulness to God in an attitude of “godly sorrow.” He saw the deadness of his own life, the ashes of all that he had done, and he threw himself upon the mercy of God. Job, as with everyone who God’s brings to Himself, now had nothing more to say after God had shown him the futility of all his human efforts. We sit in stone silence before Him; not knowing what to say, or what to do, or what to believe; knowing only that “Salvation is of the LORD.” Job now saw that only God’s grace could redeem him, and he was ready to fully accept all that God might do for him.

Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Jon 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

As with Job, our personal relationship with God begins when God allows us to see, not with our physical eyes, but with the eye of faith. The natural man is born spiritually blind; but even more than blind, he is born “dead in trespasses and sins.” Even if we wanted to see—which we don’t—we are not able to see. Man does not want to see the truth about himself. He is comfortable with his bondage in Egypt—to the world, the flesh, and the devil. His feelings which he has about himself—his pride, self-image, self-respect—all enslave him to Pharaoh—the man of sin. He is content to believe in his own righteousness; and even though God may have some small part in his life and salvation, it is his own works that will be the ultimate deciding factor concerning his eternal fate. He is content to believe in a god that his own mind has fashioned, one that sees things as he sees them. Many believe in a god that is so loving that He will send only the worst of sinners to Hell; or one that is so fierce and vengeful, that they are under constant fear and torment to try and please Him. Some believe in a god—a being that created the world; but one that has no relevance in their life—no demands, no authority, and one that will not bring them into judgment. They believe that they are their own master, and at worst—the grave is the end of life.

2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Salvation is when we see our Saviour and the “True God,” Jesus Christ, dying on the cross for our sins. Many of us were raised being taught the Bible and about Jesus—that He was crucified for the sins of the world; and we gave a mental assent to what we heard.  However, for most of us, it had no real meaning or impact upon our lives; and in spite of believing certain facts, we were not saved. There were many things that we had a head-knowledge about that were not truths at all, but half-truths, misconceptions, traditions, and church doctrines. Even to believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world does not bring salvation, for it is not the absolute truth. He would have died for the world if the world would have believed on Him; but in reality, He only died for the sins of His people. If Jesus had paid the sin debt of all mankind, then all of mankind would be saved—whether they trusted Christ or not. God’s sense of justice would, of necessity, have caused Him to pardon even the most unrepentant sinners. Those for whom Jesus died are the only ones that see Him suffering, bleeding, and dying for them personally—and that only brings true salvation.

My only hope, my only plea
That Jesus died, and died for me[1]

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, (not all) and made intercession for the transgressors

Little is said concerning the rest of Job’s life after his trial, other than how long he lived and that he became a great-great-grandfather. However, one statement at the very end of the book gives us a glimpse into the quality of those “hundred and forty years.” Job not only died “being old,” but he was “full of days”—meaning his life was lived to the fullest. Job’s life was not merely a state of existence that so many old people experience—who live their last days without joy, without hope, without love, and without purpose. Many there are who live separated from their families because they chose to move to a place of retirement. Many live separated because they are so cynical that no one wants to be around them; or they live alone because their Christless families have abandoned them. Not so with Job, he was living everyday to its fullest, surrounded by those he loved and who loved him. His experience had opened his eyes to the true joys and purpose of life. He now saw people as God had allowed him to see himself—poor and helpless, in need of God’s mercy and grace; and for that purpose, and the glory of God, he now lived his life.

Job 42:16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.
17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Now in spite of all that Job saw by the eye of faith, his vision was limited. His cup of blessing was full, but he had a smaller cup than we as believers in Christ have. Job was not born-again by the indwelling Spirit of God; he was still a servant of God and not a son. Neither did Job have the complete revelation of God to man found in the Bible that we enjoy today. Our vision of God, and what we have in Christ, goes far beyond the blessings of this world that Job enjoyed. Indeed, God’s will for some of His children may be the complete abandonment of any of this world’s goods—that their eyes may more clearly see Christ, and that they may serve Him to the fullest.

1 Pet 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 2 Pet 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

The chief reward for those whom God chastens is, that their hearts are enlarged to see more of the truths of God and live according to those truths. When we look at the lives of some believers, we know that there is a depth to their souls in what they have experienced and in what they know about the Lord. We sense that they are living beyond this world in what they see and feel. We sense that they have a love for God and others that goes far beyond the shallowness of most Christians. As is the difference between Old Testament Saints and the Children of God—all cups will be full in the new heaven and new earth; but the reward for those who are wholly given to Christ will be a bigger cup.

Psa 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Psa 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Let us therefore, as believers in Christ, desire the “gold tried in the fire,” and the “white raiment” of Christ that we “mayest be clothed,” so that “the shame of” our “nakedness” does “not appear.” Let us also have the Holy Spirit “anoint” our “eyes with eyesalve, that” we “mayest see.” Then shall we see and know the true riches of our life in Christ; and we will experience a deeper joy in our eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. As Job, let us begin to see with the “eye of faith” beyond the temporal things of this life to those things which are eternal.

Rev 32:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Phil 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.