Latter days better than former days

Additional Translations They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. Treasury of Scripture So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

Deuteronomy Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; Proverbs The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Job submits himself unto God 7. God, preferring Job's cause, makes his friends submit themselves, and accepts him He magnifies and blesses Job Job's age and death.

This phrase highlights the restoration and blessing that God bestowed upon Job after his period of intense suffering and testing. The concept of God blessing the latter days more than the former is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing God's ability to restore and multiply blessings beyond previous states see DeuteronomyJoel Job's restoration serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and justice, affirming that enduring faith and righteousness are ultimately rewarded.

This also prefigures the ultimate restoration and blessing found in Christ, who brings eternal life and restoration to those who believe. He owned 14, sheep, Sheep were a significant measure of wealth in ancient times, used for wool, meat, and sacrificial offerings. The doubling of Job's sheep from 7, to 14, signifies not only material prosperity but also God's abundant provision.

This increase reflects the principle found in Proverbswhere the blessing of the Lord brings wealth without painful toil. The sheep also symbolize the flock of believers, with Christ as the Good Shepherd, indicating spiritual abundance and care. The doubling of camels from 3, to 6, underscores Job's restored status and influence in the community, as camels were essential for long-distance trade routes.

This increase can be seen as a metaphor for the expansion of influence and the spreading of God's blessings, akin to the Great Commission in Matthewwhere believers are called to spread the gospel to all nations. The increase from to 1, yoke signifies a doubling of Job's capacity for cultivation and harvest, symbolizing fruitfulness and divine favor.

This abundance can be linked to the biblical principle of sowing and reaping found in Galatianswhere faithful labor in God's service yields a bountiful harvest. Female donkeys were prized for their ability to bear offspring and provide milk, contributing to the sustainability and growth of a household's wealth. The doubling from to 1, female donkeys highlights the theme of multiplication and prosperity.

In a broader sense, this increase can be seen as a type of the church, which is called to be fruitful and multiply spiritually, as seen in Actswhere the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Job A man of great faith and patience, who endured immense suffering and loss, yet remained faithful to God. The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind.

In the latter days you will understand this. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.

Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord ; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.

He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way.

And some of them have come from far away. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed.

Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not latter days better than former days its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

This phrase also connects to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to bless and multiply Abraham's descendants Genesisillustrating the principle of divine blessing following faithfulness and endurance through trials. Job A man of great faith and integrity, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His account is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine justice.

Bildad the Shuhite One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Bildad speaks in Job 8offering his perspective on Job's suffering, suggesting that repentance will lead to restoration. Uz The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel.

Latter days better than former days

It serves as the setting for the events of the Book of Job. Job's Trials The series of calamities that befall Job, including loss of wealth, family, and health, which set the stage for the dialogues between Job and his friends. God's Sovereignty A central theme in the Book of Job, highlighting God's ultimate control and wisdom, even when human understanding is limited.

Teaching Points The Promise of Restoration God often allows us to start with humble beginnings to teach us reliance on Him. Our faithfulness in small things can lead to greater blessings. The Role of Suffering Suffering is not always a result of sin, but it can be a tool for growth and deeper understanding of God's character and purposes.

Faith in God's Timing Trusting in God's timing is crucial. Our latter days may flourish, but it requires patience and faith in God's plan. Encouragement in Trials This verse serves as a reminder that current hardships are not the end. God has a plan for our future that includes hope and prosperity. Repentance and Restoration Bildad's advice, though simplistic, points to a truth: turning to God and seeking His ways can lead to restoration and blessing.

Pulpit Commentary Verse 7. Bildad does not refer to the past, but to the present. Though, if God were now to set to work to prosper Job, his beginning would be slender indeed, yet what the outcome might be none could know. God might prosper him greatly. Yet thy latter end should greatly increase. Here, once mere, Bildad does but follow in the steps of Eliphaz see Jobprophesying smooth things, as be had done.

Bible Gateway logo. Start for FREE. Font Size Font Size. Job Share Print. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase. And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase. Then, even if your beginnings were modest, your final days will be full of prosperity.

Although your former state was ordinary, your future will be extraordinary. Then, although your beginnings were small, your future will be very great indeed. And though thy beginning was small, yet thine end shall be very great. Insomuch, that if thy former things were small, thy latter things would be multiplied exceedingly. Then you will have a lot more than you had in the beginning!