THE INHERITANCE OF JOB’S DAUGHTERS

"And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren." (Job 42:15)

THE LIFE OF JOB is encapsulated in the book bearing his name. It is seen from a heavenly perspective, lacking a number of details that an earthly biographer would include. His father and mother are not named. We are told he lived in "the land of Uz," which is mentioned centuries later by Jeremiah (Jer 25:20; Lam 4:21), who declares it was inhabited by a "mingled people," or "foreign folk" (RSV). It is generally understood that this land was positioned east or southeast of Palestine, adjacent to the Chaldeans. This is also deduced from the areas occupied by Job's "friends," who included a Temanite, Shuhite, Naamathite, and Buzite (Job 2:11; 32:2).

HEAVEN'S ASSESSMENT of Job was that he "was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1). Four most remarkable qualities in any time – particularly the one in which he lived: (1) "Perfect," or blameless. (2) "Upright," or pleasing to God. (3) One who "feared God," living with an acute consciousness of the Lord. (4) One who "eschewed evil," or shunned and turned away from iniquity. Those unique qualities superceded his earthly distinction, yet confirmed his wealth to have the result of a special blessing from God.

THE BURDEN OF THE BOOK OF JOB relates to a special and extensive trial he underwent. The test was instituted by God, and carried out by Satan himself. This trial was initiated by the loss of all of Job's possessions, the death of his ten children as well, and the killing of most of his servants – all in a single day. It is all recorded in seven verses (Job 1:13-19). In Job's response he "sinned not, nor charged God foolishly" (1:22).

THE NEXT PORTION this book covers a period during which Job was personally afflicted with painful and festering boils. His appearance was so astonishing that when his friends came to comfort him they could not recognize him, raised their voices and wept, tore their robes, sprinkled dust on their heads, and sat on the ground next to him, remaining speechless for seven days and seven nights (2:12-13).

DIALOG BETWEEN JOB AND THE MEN visiting begins with the first verse of the third chapter, and continues through the last verse of the thirty-seventh chapter – thirty five chapters of talk. This is the longest conversation in all of Scripture.

FOLLOWING THE LORD'S interruption of the speaking (38:1-42:8), "the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). At that point, for the first time, we learn that Job also had brothers and sisters (42:11). They each gave him "a piece of money," and "an earring of gold."

IN THE LATTER END OF JOB'S LIFE, instead of having "seven thousand sheep," he had "fourteen thousand" – twice as many. Instead of "three thousand camels," he had "six thousand" – twice as many. Instead of "five hundred yoke of oxen," he had "one thousand" – twice as many. Instead of "five hundred she asses," he had "one thousand" – twice as many. He was also given "seven sons and three daughters," just as he had before – twice as many: seven on this side of the grave, and seven on the other side (1:3; 42:12).

SPECIAL NOTE IS MADE of his daughters, named Jemima, Kezia, and Kerenhappuch. In all of the land, there were no women "as beautiful as Job's daughters" (NIV). It is then stated that Job "gave them an inheritance along with their brothers" (NIV).

THIS WAS NOT AN ORDINARY PRACTICE. Under the Law, an inheritance was provided for the daughters only if the man had no sons (Num 27:8). One example is cited by Moses concerning "the daughters of Zelophehad." who "had no sons" (Num 26:33). Moses said, "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and turn their father's inheritance over to them" (Num 27:7, NIV ). They had insisted that their father's name should not disappear simply because he had no sons. Therefore they had asked that his inheritance pass to them.

IN THE CASE OF JOB, as well as in the provisions of the Law and the instance of Zelophehad's daughters, we have a notable example of the New Covenant. In Christ Jesus, the daughters of God obtain the inheritance as well as the sons. Peter declared this to be true on the day of Pentecost. In fact, IT IS THE VERY FIRST THING he said about the correlation of the events of that day with Scripture: "and your sons AND YOUR DAUGHTERS shall prophesy . . . and on my servants and on MY HANDMAIDENS I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and THEY shall prophesy" (Acts 2:17-18). Peter said that text was being fulfilled before the very eyes of those to whom he was speaking (verse 33). Additionally, Apostolic doctrine makes a point of this. "I will dwell in them, and walk in them . . . And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My AND DAUGHTERS , saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor 6:18).

IN CHRIST JESUS, THE SPIRIT IS UPON THE DAUGHTERS, and it is associated with speaking – publically: they prophesy. God walks and dwells in them. God is a Father unto them, and claims them as His own. Let it be clear to you, our sisters in Christ are not second class citizens of heaven!

– Given O. Blakely