Thursday: Rush to Judgment
Much of what Eliphaz said to Job was correct. That is, he made many valid points, points that we found were expressed later in the Bible. And yet, something still was terribly wrong with his response to Job. The problem wasn’t so much with what he said; the problem was more the context in which he said it. What he was saying, the truths he was uttering, just didn’t apply to the specific situation. (See next week’s lesson.)
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
Our world is a complicated place. It’s easy to look at a situation and then toss out a few clichés or even a few Bible texts that you think apply. Maybe they do. But often they don’t. Look at this statement from Ellen G. White about how we often bring upon ourselves the things that happen to us. “No truth does the Bible more clearly teach than that what we do is the result of what we are. To a great degree the experiences of life are the fruition of our own thoughts and deeds.” — Education, p. 146.
This is a profound and important truth. But could you imagine some well-meaning saint going up to someone in a situation like Job’s and reading to that person the preceding Ellen G. White statement? (In some cases, unfortunately, we can imagine that.) How much better would it have been for the well-meaning saint to have followed this counsel instead? “Many think that they are representing the justice of God while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discourage them and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter’s power.” — Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 163.
The fact is, as is so often the case, there’s much more going on here than Eliphaz and all the others, including Job, knew. So, Eliphaz’s rush to judgment, even with all his correct theology, was hardly the right thing to do, given the circumstances.
Why should the following texts always be in the forefront of our minds when dealing with anyone, especially those whom we believe have sinned? Matt. 7:1-2; Rom. 2:1–3; 1 Cor. 4:5.
Even if Eliphaz had been right, and Job brought this suffering upon himself, his words were imprudent and ill–timed. Job stands as a symbol for all humanity, for we all have been caught up in the great controversy, and we all suffer in it. And we all, at some point, need compassion and sympathy, not sermonizing. Sure, there’s a time and place for getting lectured. But when a man is sitting on a pile of ashes, his life ruined, his children dead, and his body full of sores—that is not the time.
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I do like both quotes from Mrs White, there's great truth in each of them.
If we would only consider tenderness & great love and without any assumed judgment how different would our comfort or correction be.
A good thought question to ask the class would be... given that having ourselves gone through times or grief or suffering or despair whether by our own hand or by no fault of our own, knowing that we need a season of silence, knowing then that we may need a clearer head than ours to speak wisdom, comfort or reproof - to whom, when, how and on what basis should we speak?
I'm thinking of one situation at church where a person had done something that should mean church discipline - I heard a conversation between two church members - they were not putting down the member who had fallen, they were thinking of a way that they could help, and show the member love. I think this goes along with both of the Sis.White's statements. In this case speaking reproof to the member, would not be saying anything that they don't already know, because everyone is seeing the result of the sin(a season of silence is needed here),showing tenderness in this case would yield a greater result for the kingdom.
For some who might think Eliphaz's approach was right in apportioning blame to the suffering Job, with all his ill-timed judgmental words, here is suffering humanity's consolation, especially the faithful of
God: God neither approved nor agreed with Eliphaz!
Surely you are right Gabasiane.
I believe that Paul wrote his letters to the Corinthian church as he was moved by the Holy Spirit. In those letters Paul uses the well known phrase, "It is written". In one instance he writes, "It is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness". (1Cor 3:19.) Who is Paul quoting here? Is it Moses? Isaiah? Amos? No. According to the Bible margin references, Paul is quoting Eliphaz. So I would have to say that God approved of [and agreed with] at least some of what Eliphaz said.
Yes, Brother, but who was being crafty? It was not Job. Neither was Job considering himself to be wise. I believe Eliphaz was, however. Not sure I'm correct, but just my thoughts. God bless each one of us.
Basically speaking, judgement is for the Lord. Let non of us start judging overs for the afflictions nor problem they are facing, for we are all sinners and have fallen shot of the glory of God. And the continue to say, if we say that we are nit sinners. Then we are saying that God is but a liar. Eliphaz did not do the right thing, he condemned and judged his friend Job. Insteady of comforting, he brought more pain upon his friend job. At time times, we face different problems and challenges of life. But the friends we trust, the consolations they tend to give is something else. May God almighty help us not to judge other rest we are judged by the same judgments.
This morning I thank God that He is the perfect Judge . He knows our hearts and our ends from our beginning. He never makes a mistake. But we humans beings make mistakes all the times. We are all judgmental in our sinfulness. Lord help us to be more compassionate and caring , for we all have sinned. Give us a mind like Jesus. Amen .
Eliphas seemed to be Mr know it all. He seemed to have assumed the title of the "I AM". How we get to do this many times too. If we could see the weight of our judgement on others, how, probably, it or we help in distancing others from God.
This lesson teaches me that in everything we do let us not fear doing the right thing with the excuse of being judged by others(what will others say or think) it's something that is pulling us back in all aspects of life. Or sometimes we show off for others to judge us ' positively' even if its going beyond our abilities.. No human being can judge another because we have all fallen short of God's glory. Just as Eliphaz was not justified to judge Job, we should not
"Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discourage them and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter’s power.” — Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 163.
This statement really touched me; sometimes we become instruments to advance the cause of the devil by our desire to judge others. Like the bible rightly puts it; 'Judgement is for the Lord'. May God help us not to assume God's position as 'judges'. Eliphaz did not know anything about what was happening behind the scenes yet he was so quick to conclude that Job had sinned even though he could not point at any sin that Job had committed.
It will be interesting how Job's scenario will parallel the experience of those who go through the time of trouble "Much of what Eliphaz said to Job was correct...But when a man is sitting on a pile of ashes, his life ruined, his children dead, and his body full of sores—that is not the time." In the time of trouble, after probation has closed, the devil will send "loving" Christian to remind God's remnant even though they have over come sins A-Z, they still have SIN.
"As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink; for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully conscious of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God. {GC 618.3}
Though God’s people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of persecution for the truth’s sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of, and that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the fulfillment of the Saviour’s promise: I “will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world.” Revelation 3:10. If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their lives because of their own defects of character, then God’s holy name would be reproached." {GC 619.1}
It will be interesting to see how Job's scenario will be paralleled in the experience of those who go through the time of trouble. In the time of trouble, after probation has closed, the devil will send "loving" Christian to remind God's remnant that even though they have overcome sins A-Z, they still have SIN.
"As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins…they fear that every sin has not been repented of, and that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the fulfillment of the Saviour’s promise: I “will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world.” Revelation 3:10. (Great Controversy 618-619)
happy sabbath saints!indeed we should not be judgemental towards our brethren since we are also feeble and have sinned before God and we are in need of His grace!I can imagine a situation when im in so much anguish and my trusted friend comes and start blaming me for being responsible for what I am going through of which I know very well that I am not responsible!!thats exactly what Eliphaz did.he began to ignorantly judge his friend not knowing that actually God bragged about Job to the devil"have you tried my son Job..........?".let us stop being judges here on this earth but let us thrive to enter the pearl gates and we will be judges with God during the millenium in heaven!!
Pamela, what if you *knew* you had caused your own troubles? How would it feel for your friends to keep reminding you of it?
There are several ideal ways to counsel someone in anguish?
We treated similar issues such as this in the last quarters. There several ideal ways to console someone undergoing grief and anguish: sit quietly with them all through if they are not uttering a word; weep with them if they are weeping; and if need be to say something, pray for them, pray for grace and strength.
I thank God for this lesson cos many a times we act just like Elihaz. And my take from this lesson is that when need be for us to councel/advise someone in their trying times, it should be out of emphathy and not sympathy as the former provides the right mood and the right words.