Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Though the beginning was small, the latter end would greatly increase belongs to the debate in which Job's three friends argue with him. In those speeches they charge him with sin and declare that his sufferings are because of sin, while holding that prosperity shows righteousness and God's favor. The chapter belongs to the book's setting forth of overruling providence and of sin and suffering, and shows how humanity is prone to misjudge its fellows in this same way. In this setting God was disciplining Job and bringing him through the fire of affliction.
The phrase latter end translates the Hebrew word acharseth, meaning the end of whatever the word describes. The verse expresses the idea that a small beginning can be followed by great increase. Job's own later days were indeed better than his first. Yet the book's account of his suffering shows that present affliction and suffering do not by themselves prove sin or that he was under God's displeasure and disfavor.
The friends' statements were generally true but were misapplied to Job, for his suffering did not prove that he was under God's displeasure. Their speeches are not reliable when they contradict inspired teaching. Its promise of greatly increased prosperity is part of the false idea that God's favor necessarily brings worldly wealth.
Applied practically, a small beginning joined with humility, honesty, contentment, and industry is likely to grow much larger in the end. Being faithful in little brings trust with more, and being faithful with what belongs to another brings something of one's own. This was shown when Jacob moved from being a just servant to becoming a rich master.
Though the beginning was small, the latter end would greatly increase belongs to the debate in which Job's three friends argue with him. In those speeches they charge him with sin and declare that his sufferings are because of sin, while holding that prosperity shows righteousness and God's favor. The chapter belongs to the book's setting forth of overruling providence and of sin and suffering, and shows how humanity is prone to misjudge its fellows in this same way. In this setting God was disciplining Job and bringing him through the fire of affliction.
The phrase latter end translates the Hebrew word acharseth, meaning the end of whatever the word describes. The verse expresses the idea that a small beginning can be followed by great increase. Job's own later days were indeed better than his first. Yet the book's account of his suffering shows that present affliction and suffering do not by themselves prove sin or that he was under God's displeasure and disfavor.
The friends' statements were generally true but were misapplied to Job, for his suffering did not prove that he was under God's displeasure. Their speeches are not reliable when they contradict inspired teaching. Its promise of greatly increased prosperity is part of the false idea that God's favor necessarily brings worldly wealth.
Applied practically, a small beginning joined with humility, honesty, contentment, and industry is likely to grow much larger in the end. Being faithful in little brings trust with more, and being faithful with what belongs to another brings something of one's own. This was shown when Jacob moved from being a just servant to becoming a rich master.