What does it mean that Job repented in dust and ashes?

Answer

In Job 42:6, Job expresses, “I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Evidently, Job was experiencing a difficult period in his personal history. But what does it signify that he repented “in dust and ashes”?

Dust and ashes were symbols of mourning in ancient times. Job’s three friends demonstrated this earlier in the book of Job. Upon witnessing Job’s suffering, “they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads” «And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. », (Job 2:12). They were “weeping with those who weep” «Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. », (Romans 12:15), and they expressed their grief according to the customs of their time by sprinkling dust on their heads. This act was often accompanied, as seen in Scripture, by tearing their clothes.

Another instance of using dust and ashes in this manner is found in Ezekiel 27:30. When describing a future period of mourning over Tyre, the prophet states, “They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; / they will sprinkle dust on their heads / and roll in ashes.” Clearly, the application of dust and ashes is linked to the intense weeping depicted in this scenario.

Esther 4:1 provides another illustration. Mordecai discovered that all Jews were to be killed on a specific day according to a new Persian decree. In reaction, Mordecai “tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.” As the news spread, other Jews reacted similarly: “There was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping.”

Mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing were widespread practices among the Jews in every province where the king’s command and decree were received. Many individuals expressed their grief by wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes «And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. », (Esther 4:3).

The term “dust” appears 16 times in the book of Job. Dust symbolizes insignificance or nothingness. It is associated with humility and lowliness. When Job repented in dust and ashes, he demonstrated humility.

The term “ashes” also holds significance in the book of Job. Job, afflicted with painful sores, sat in ashes «And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. », (Job 2:8). He later likened the words of his friends to ashes in 13:12. Job further expressed feeling like dust and ashes, stating, “[God] throws me into the mud, / and I am reduced to dust and ashes” «He hath cast me into the mire, And I am become like dust and ashes. », (Job 30:19). Finally, in Job 42:6, he repented in dust and ashes.

Although using dust and ashes for repentance and mourning was customary in ancient times, it is not mandated in the Bible. Instead, we can draw lessons in humility from Job’s example of repenting before the Lord and acknowledging His greatness. Even when Job faced undeserved suffering, he remained faithful and humble in God’s presence. Job exemplified the directive in 1 Peter 5:6 (and received the corresponding promise): “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”