Job 42

Jehovah seen by Job

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM,' the eternal One

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Job 42:1–6

Job moves from only hearing about God to seeing Him for himself. Latter-day Saints understand the LORD who revealed Himself to Job to be Jehovah, the premortal Christ, and this personal witness is what finally brings Job peace.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• fulfils Job 19:25-27 — Job had testified that his Redeemer lives and that in his flesh he would see God with his own eyes.
• the same title in Ether 3:13-14 — The premortal Christ shows Himself to the brother of Jared, who sees Him.

Job the suffering servant and intercessor

And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Job 42:7–10

Job, the innocent sufferer called 'my servant,' prays for the very friends who wounded him, and God accepts his prayer on their behalf. This mirrors Jesus Christ, the righteous Servant who suffered unjustly, prayed for those who hurt Him, and is the one through whom the Father accepts us.

• a type of what is in Isaiah 53:12 — The Servant bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
• a type of what is in Luke 23:34 — Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
• alluded to by D&C 121:10 — The Lord tells Joseph Smith he is not yet as Job, contrasting their trials.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 7:25 — Christ ever liveth to make intercession for them that come unto God by Him.

Burnt offering (similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten)

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. Job 42:8

The friends must bring a burnt offering to be forgiven. Latter-day Saints know from Adam's day that animal sacrifice was a likeness of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son, the only offering that truly removes sin.

• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.
• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The great and last sacrifice is the Son of God; every sacrifice pointed to it.