Have you thought about the fruit of our suffering? When we are in a fiery furnace of pain and anguish, it is difficult to envisage that our suffering can lead to blessings and produce fruits of peace and righteousness.
But we need to remind ourselves of these powerful truths:
Our suffering is not in vain, and it has a purpose.
It will produce a fruit of blessings.
The fruit of our suffering is becoming more like Christ.
The fruit of our suffering is becoming more like Christ. #suffering #blessing #spiritualmaturity #Biblestudy Share on XThe Fruit of Our Suffering–Bible Study of Job’s Daughters
We see all these truths beautifully illustrated in the names of Job’s daughters that God gave him after the crushing loss of all his children. We can trace 3 specific blessings after suffering displayed in the names of Job’s daughters.
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When we think of the biblical character of Job, we think about immense and unfair suffering. He is an example of a righteous person who experienced a multitude of crushing losses. He lost his fortune, his children, and his health in a brief period.
The main part of the book of Job in the Bible depicts his physical and emotional suffering and his struggle to keep his faith and trust in God despite his circumstances.
Does this story have a good ending?
Yes, in chapter 42 we read that “God blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.”(Job 42:12)
“And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.” (Job 42: 13-15)
Jemimah – the Blessing of the Work of the Holy Spirit
The Hebrew word “Jemimah” means “dove” and “daylight”. The dove is a symbol of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of the believer.
This work brings peace, healing, and hope.
It also helps us walk into the light. The pain and the suffering exert pressure on our hearts and force us to open up and expose deep underlying issues to the light. These are usually things that hinder us from becoming whole and mature persons and loving God and others well.
The first fruit and blessing of our suffering is to experience the transformative and healing work of the Holy Spirit.
Keziah – the Blessing of God’s Nearness
The name “Keziah” has several meanings in Hebrew. The first meaning is “scraped off, ended, cut off.” It denotes the end of the suffering and the trial. But it also reminds us of Jesus’s atoning sacrifice that reconciled us with God. It reminds us that “It is finished!” (John 19:30)
But the word “Keziah” is also related to “cassia” which is a sweet, smelly cinnamon powder. It symbolizes the sweetness of God’s nearness, intimate fellowship, and comfort. it is also one of the specific aromas of Jesus. According to Psalm 45 (a wedding song), his clothes smell like cassia.
“All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.” (Psalm 45:8)
The second blessing and fruit of our suffering is experiencing the intimate nearness of God’s loving presence and emerging saturated in the aroma of Christ.
Keren–Happuch – the Blessing of Beauty and Strength
The name of Job’s third daughter has several meanings in Hebrew: “a beautifier, to radiate with beautiful eyes, and having horns (strength).”
This illustrates how, as a fruit of our suffering, we become more like Christ, displaying His beauty, glory, and power in our lives. Besides, passing through suffering and trials strengthens us and makes us resilient and stable.
The third blessing is the blessing of experiencing and reflecting God’s beauty and power, so we can fulfill the calling to shine like stars.
“So that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.“ (Philippians 2:15-16)
The Fruit of Our Suffering Is Becoming More Like Christ
This study of the names of Job’s daughters shows us that the essence of the fruit of our suffering is our formation in the image of Christ.
We experience first healing and peace through the work of the Holy Spirit and the hope of a new beginning.
Then we let the Spirit adorn us, beautify us, and soak us in the aromas of Christ.
In this way, we become beautiful, radiating God’s glory and beauty and displaying His power in our lives.
A Powerful Resource to Comfort You in Your Suffering
Are you in a season of suffering right now? In this “Book of Comforts” you’ll find comfort when you struggle with unmet expectations, disillusionment in faith, when you are in a season of pain, when your hope diminishes, when life gets hard, and much more. Reflection questions and a guided prayer follow each devotion.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources and encouragement to strengthen your faith in a season of suffering, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu
The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope by Curt Thompson
Soul Cry: Devotional Prayers for Wounded, Grieving and Suffering Hearts by Gary Roe
Mining for God’s Gold in Life’s Dark Valleys by Margaret E. Head
Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose by Doug Gehman
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
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Your Turn
Which of the names spoke most to you? Why? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!
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Hadassah, this is beautiful! I’ve never heard this teaching before. I love how Job gave his daughters these beautiful names with deep rich meaning of God’s redemptive powers. Love this so much!
Thanks so much, Donna! I am happy that you gleaned new and helpful insights from this post! Blessings to you, friend!
Thank you for this very thought-provoking post on the fruit of our suffering. You wonderfully highlight the study of the names of Job’s daughters and how it shows us that the essence of the fruit of our suffering is our formation in the image of Christ.
Thanks a lot, Debbie! I am happy you found the article thought-provoking and encouraging. Blessings!
I haven’t done much reading on Job’s daughters, and this was a wonderful and challenging post, dear friend! Thank you so much for digging deep for us! You bless me in so many ways!
Thanks so much, my friend! I am happy that you found the post insightful and inspiring! Blessings to you!
I haven’t really ever focused on the blessings Job received after his suffering. Thank you for exploring the blessings of Job’s daughters and the way their names tie in to the fruit of Job’s suffering. I appreciate the time you take to look deeper into the meanings of the words.
Thanks, Lisa! I love the book of Job, especially the end, so it was very insightful to study the symbolism of the names of Job’s daughters. Blessings!
Hadassah, I love how you brought out the meanings of Job’s daughters’ names! This was so enlightening. I had just had a conversation about Job with my mother, so this was really timely, too! I will have to share this with her, too! Have a wonderfully blessed day, sister!
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I am happy that you found this post on the names of Job’s daughters interesting and insightful. Blessings to you!
Hadassah, I love this and it brings me comfort to know how God uses our suffering for His good fruit. And so interesting are Job’s daughters and what their name’s mean and how that applies to us.
Thanks a lot, Deborah! I am happy you found the post interesting and encouraging. Blessing to you!