Job 42:11, “All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.”
As Job continued to suffer as he grieved the loss of His children, a beautiful thing happened. All of Job’s siblings and close friends blessed him with their presence, as they all came to his house to comfort and console Him. At the same time, they also blessed him with presents. They came for the right reason- to comfort and console Job, and they came with a gift.
In Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, one of the five languages is that of receiving gifts. Gifts convey thoughtfulness and are a tangible expression of love. Also, gifts are memorable and last much longer than fresh flowers. Gifts are a tangible expression of inward thoughtfulness that conveys love.
For Job, the gifts from family and friends were also a part of the restoration of God’s blessings. Though Job had lost most of his wealth, the Lord was restoring His blessings and using others to do so. Presence and Presents both provide a valuable means of healing and restoration.
GEC (Grief Education Center) 