Job 42:7-9

Job 42:7-9

[7] 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. [8] Therefore take  unto you now seven  bullocks  and seven  rams,  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.  [9] So Eliphaz  the Temanite  and Bildad  the Shuhite  and Zophar  the Naamathite  and did  according as the LORD  commanded  them: the LORD  also accepted  Job. 

What does Job 42:7-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

God addressed Eliphaz but also had Bildad and Zophar in view. He evidently excluded Elihu because he had not misrepresented God as the other three friends had. Their error was limiting God"s sovereignty. By asserting that God always punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous in this life, they were limiting God and committing a sin that required a sacrifice for atonement (covering). Modern prosperity theology advocates should take note!
Job evidently forgave his friends as God had forgiven him (cf. Matthew 6:12), and prayed for them as a priest (cf. Job 1:5; Matthew 5:44). Job stood as a mediator between his friends and God. He had previously felt the need of a mediator himself.
"They had attempted to restore Job to God by philosophy. He is now to be the means of restoring them by prayer." [1]
Rather than judging Job , God accepted him because he was indeed His "servant," not the rebel that his friends accused him of being. The writer used the word "servant" four times in these verses. Job had served God, among other ways, by being the vehicle through whom God brought the revelation of this book to its readers.