The difficult trial that befell on Job was very harsh on him. It had the element of surprise, comprehensiveness to all what he possessed, and severe loss that appears to be unrecoverable. As to Job, he submitted himself to God and kneeled down saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there… the Lord gave, and the Lord as taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). When his wife complained about the situation and incited him to complain to God, he answered her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)

 Even though, at the time, he didn’t understand what God wanted from him throughout the trial, Job stood in faith, patience, and submission. He also didn’t know or consider the role of the devil, neither did he realize that the provisions of God always turn everything to the good. Nonetheless, this trial, though it was severe, it was a source of great blessing for him, at least through four points:

+ First Point: The trial humbled Job, and the humility of man before God stimulates His compassion and mercy, so He later pours out grace and blessings upon him.

+ Second Point: The trial caused Job to cry to God in persistence seeking understanding and asking for help, condolence, and peace. Even if God had been slow to respond to him and to clarify the matters to him, the mere crying to God deepen the relationship with Him, like the roots that reach deep in the soil in search of water till they find it, no matter how deep it might be. In reaching to the depth, there is strength, steadfastness and life to the tree.

+ Third Point: At the end of the trial, God manifested Himself to Job in a very powerful, magnificent, and clear way.  At this point, Job melted in God’s love and forgot all previous suffering, and his heart rejoiced because his interaction with God was elevated from the level of listening to the level of seeing, so he cried out saying: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). The harsh trial was a means to see God and to enjoy Him. This is what happens to all those who accept to carry the cross of difficult trials like the Three Young Men who saw God in the firry furnace, and many others as well.

+ Fourth Point: The trial is what made Job precious and made his name eternally memorable.  The suffering that he endured has been transformed to a stock pile of eternal glory.  The divine inspiration of the New Testament had been fulfilled in him as it states: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved (passes the exam), he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). For the same reason, the divine inspiration tells us on the mouth of Saint James: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (i.e. we should be patient to the end)” (James 1:2-4)

Finally, Job had become a model to all generations in patience and longsuffering, as the Bible tells us: “You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord… You also be patient. Establish your hearts” (James 5)

Thus, he who steadfast in patience and faith amidst the painful trials, suffering will lead him to glory, and he becomes a living example through which Gad speaks to generations.

Therefore, let’s say with the righteous Job, at all times and in all circumstances, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”