In Job, chapter 6, it is Job’s turn to speak for himself in regards to what has happened to him and where he stands with God. This is in reference to what Eliphaz had recently counseled him on, which he thought was his sin. But was he right about Job? Absolutely not, which you shall see in these verses. Let’s start with how Job was feeling in the trials he was going through first. It reads, 1“oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?” (Job 6:8-11) And in speaking how Eliphaz and how his other two freinds had been treating him, he said, 1“to him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.” (Job 6:14-18) Job said that he felt like giving up on life and wished God would just take him in death. However, he wished that his friends would have shown pity upon him, which means sympathy, kindness, and compassion for someone in need, but got none of this. Instead, they dealt with Job deceitfully, not knowing his true heart towards God.
In regards to Job’s friends, he continued to speak to them and said, 1“for now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?” (Job 6:21-30) You see, Job’s friends were afraid of what happened to him and did not know how to truly comfort him, even though it was their intention, as we learned in Job 2. However, Eliphaz and was forcible with his words unto arguing. He tried to prove his point that Job was being punished because of his secret sins, but didn’t care to know Job’s real heart towards God. So he told his friends that they dug themselves in a hole, instead of helping him. And now to look at him and hear what he has to say, in order to determine if he is really lying. He then explained that there is no iniquity in his tongue, for he can discern what is evil. Therefore, his righteousness is intact with God. Like Job, we should not have to plead our case before people, just to have kindness shown towards us. We can learn a lot from what Job was going through.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that there will be more people in the faith who are selfless and loving towards one another, not judgmental or trying to prove one’s point. Arguing with someone who only wishes for comfort and peace, only brings more pain into that person’s life. This is disheartening to have seen this happen in my life and other people I have met. I’ve head stories, God, of people who have left the faith because of people treating them badly, and this breaks my heart. If people would just know how others are feeling in their grief and sadness, they would never treat them badly again. So Lord, come and make people new. Restore them into Your love, that they may be a beaming light in the darkness of this world. Allow Your love to overflow from them and into people they meet. Help them become instruments of comfort, job, kindness, love, sympathy, and peace. Cast out every pit of discord and animosity from their hearts, that You may take over their mortal bodies and lead them in righteousness. Help them walk in Your holiness, not in the ways of the flesh. Take them by the hand and lead them, oh Lord. Help me to continue to also be an instrument for Your kingdom. I know that I have let You down before, but I am ready to go all-in for You now. Lead me from here on out and far from temptation. I can see that many people are suffering and need comfort in these trying times. So open the doors to me and other Christians, that we might do all that we can for them. We love You and also love our neighbors. How can we be comforted knowing that other people are in desperate need of our help? Therefore, I will do all that I can for the welfare of their souls. May they also come to know You, Jesus, as their Lord and Savior. That they see Your good works in me and glory You, Father, who art in heaven. I love You, God. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
