Have you ever thought you knew somebody and really you were very wrong from the get-go? We have all prejudged people in our lifetime while making them feel terrible at the same time. But did you know that a person who is wrongly accused is that much more hurt and deserves to be said sorry to? This is true about Zophar and the other two friends of Job, who will soon get what is coming to them since they attempted to make Job feel terrible about himself and his current state. Even in this one chapter alone, in Job, chapter 20, we hear him accusing Job of being wicked, a hypocrite, and how after he dies nobody will remember him. It reads, 1“knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.” (Job 20:4-9) Does this sound like a Christian? No, it doesn’t. However, did he think he was a religious man and knew God? Yes, he did. And the same can be said for people like him who treat others so badly, without even knowing them. You’ve seen these people and maybe you were one them in times past before being saved.
Now, Zophar did not stop there. He also said the following about Job. 1“His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.” (Job 20:11-15) 1“All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.” (Job 20:25-29) So after already making Job feel terrible, he added more insult to his wound, by calling him a sinner from his youth, a person who only wanted riches. Therefore, God will showcase his iniquity come death. How God’s wrath is upon him. Wow! I feel for Job. Surely, there was no comfort found from his friend, but only animosity and judgment. We can learn from this, by not pre-judging people we do not know. Instead, we come to people in order to show them God’s peace, love, and comfort. Any true believer in Christ would do this, while the self-righteous will continue in their own ways.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for this blessed day. Thank You for preparing our paths ahead of us. It is better when You are giving us the help we need and not the world. Your ways are higher! I know that people will fail us over time, where only Your desires for us will continue for all time. There is no end to Your mercy and grace. People can say terrible things about us, but we know that we are blessed even more when we are reviled and persecuted for Your sake. All I know is that this life is short and people around us need our help. They need Your love to enter their lives, that they may also be born again and be saved. We don’t come at them with accusations about sin but lead them by the hand to Your heavenly home. Then, can You convict them of anything that is wrong in their lives. Only You know the inner parts of our heart, where we should not be judging anyone wrongfully. Accusations are felt as mocking to the innocent, and as Christians, I pray that we will not give in to such things. Lord, keep us on Your holy and righteous path. Keep us conformed to Your ways and not the world. I wish to be with You forever in heaven one day. May You accept me in Your presence now and for all eternity. I love You, Jesus! You are my Lord, God, and Savior. I give You this life to serve You. I give You glory and praise. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
