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Job 42:11
11 Then came [bow'] there unto him all his brethren ['ach], and all his sisters ['achowth], and all they that had been of his acquaintance [yada`] before [paniym], and did eat ['akal] bread [lechem] with him in his house [bayith]: and they bemoaned [nuwd] him, and comforted [nacham] him over all the evil [ra`] that the LORD [Yahovah] had brought [bow'] upon him: every man ['iysh] also gave [nathan] him a ['echad] piece of money [qasiytah], and every one ['iysh] an earring [nexem] of gold [zahab]. KJV-Interlinear
11 Then all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all who had known him before, came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold. NASB
It is often said that when you are wealthy, there aren't enough numbers to count your friends. And when you are poor, then they are nowhere to be found.
Back in chapter 19, Job told us that his friends and family had abandoned him.
Now, since the whirlwind incident, they all seem to be pouring out of the woodwork, with gifts and money in hand. Some probably gave him financial assistance with genuine charity in mind, while others probably gave him gifts out of their own guilt and shame.
But now that Job is the recipient of Gods good graces, or so the shocked public perceived it, all of his friends and family came to his home in a steady stream, uninvited, nonetheless, and gave Job their best wishes.
The ring of gold demonstrates a gift of exceptional value. The term for money designates some form of coinage, perhaps silver, perhaps a lamb.
Back in Jobs ancient days, the term for money used here is a reference to a lamb or sheep, or something of similar value. The term, shekel was not used, but an ambiguous term was used in those days, as a medium of exchange. The lamb of sheep may well have been the benchmark upon which all monetary exchanges was based. And that was perhaps translated into a coin of equal value.
The terminology also helps us date Jobs life as very early in the ancient world. Not too many generations away from Noah and certainly prior to Abraham. There were common terms in use in Abraham's day, for money, terms which were not used in Jobs day.
Over the weeks and months to follow, this steady stream of visitors proved to be a blessing to Job, as his financial foundation was slowly being restored. This was an immediate restoration of blessings. The greater wealth will occur over several decades.
But, regardless of his wealth both before his suffering or after, it will all be temporary.
Jobs real wealth foundation, resides in his soul, and that will translate into greater wealth in heaven, in eternity.
Regardless of your situation in this world, if you place your life in Gods hands, then your life will always end up in blessing.
