Sunday: Miserable Comforters
Even after Job’s powerful expression of faith (Job 13:15-16), the verbal sparring continued. Over the course of many chapters, the men go back and forth, arguing many deep and important questions about God, sin, death, justice, the wicked, wisdom, and the transient nature of humanity.
Image © Mark Lawrence from GoodSalt.com
What truths are being expressed in the following texts?
Job 13:28 “ And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.”
Job 15:14–16 “ What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?”
Job 19:25–27 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”
Job 28:28 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Through all these chapters the arguments continued, neither side conceding its position. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar each in their own way, each with their own agenda, didn’t let up in their argument about how people get what they deserve in life; and thus, what came upon Job had to be just punishment for his sins. Job, meanwhile, continued to lament the cruel fate that had befallen him, certain that he did not deserve the suffering. Back and forth they sparred, each “comforter” accusing Job of uttering empty and vain words, and Job doing the same to them.
In the end, none of them, including Job, understood all that was going on. How could they? They were speaking from a very limited perspective, which all humans have. If we can get any lesson from the book of Job (one that should be obvious by now, especially after all the speeches of these men), it is that we as humans need humility when we profess to talk about God and the workings of God. We might know some truth, maybe even a lot of truth, but sometimes—as we can see with these three men—we might not necessarily know the best way to apply the truths that we know.
| Look around at the natural world. Why does this alone show us how limited we are in what we know about even the simplest of things? |
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I could see that there is a time when one has to deal with his issues all alone. As it was with Jesus when he separated himself from his apostles to pray. It is sometimes wise not to lay your burdens on others, but to keep them between you and God alone. They have enough on their own plate then to have to carry your burden also.
What about the texts that admonished us to carry each others burdens and to be supportive of one another in our sorrows! I am afraid that this world and the church have lost our ability to care!! A compassionate savior bore our burdens and carried our sorrows and asks us to be merciful, compassionate and caring! No Man's an island! Why the trinity? Because three strands of rope are stronger than one strand! Be a good listener and care deeply for all people especially the hurting, someday it will be those you can walk on gold streets with!!!!
What you say is so true. The paradox of today's world, is that the very thing that believers deeply seek and desire, is contradicted by an outward display of indifference. More than ever before, we are in need of living by the very credo you have expressed. We are called to set ourselves apart by an outward demonstration that produces the fruit of the vine. It causes quite a dilemma for those seeking to make a choice of what life to live, when they witness the many who practice a lifestyle of supporting others but do not attend church versus believers who are indifferent?
There are times we are faced with issues with which we should be careful to confide in men. But there is a God who is not only willing to listen, He knows our needs, He hears us when we call and He will not disclose our secrets. The irony is, we are quicker to go to friends, family or 'so' called confidants, than casting our care at the Savour's feet.
Hi Robert
No one should have to deal with their issues on their own. It is sad that we are living in a world were trust is limited. Where is our loyalty? Christ asked us to lay out burdens on him, yes, but He also asked us to be our brothers keeper, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to practice His character. Friends are there in good times and bad times. A friend does not disappear because of circumstances. True love cast out fear. Prayer is power. Unity is strength. Love me when I am up and love when I am down. There is nothing in this world like a true friend. God bless you and I pray right now that God will work things out for you.
Just to observe the natural world speaks volume of its existence. There is nothing man can do to make it exist or not to exist whether he is a good or a bad steward.Nature itself testifies of God. Job as a steward did what the humblest steward should do - focus, worship and wait on the Lord with good courage.
yes Robert,
I agree sometimes it is indeed better to separate and pray for oneself, because no other person on earth can get into your skin. So to protect them and yourself sometimes it is better not to lay your burdens on them. They don't understand, are caught up with their own worries, and anyway - God is always ready to listen to us personally.
Just as an aside comment, my mother used to tell me "confession is good for the soul - but bad for the reputation!"
Godbless today, Mrs A Stolz
Thanks for that thought. There is only one exception, when a confession is to one you have wrong it is very noble. I once saw a leader of our denomination be humiliated in front of us all, on stage. He submitted to the accusation and accepted the blame. This was the highest place I had ever seen a human being climb spiritually. In my eyes he was the most sincere Christian I had met because of it. His reputation was increased in my eyes. Before we leave this planet we will be brought to the same humility and say; "who among us can be saved?" He then will reply; "my grace is sufficient for you." What a day that will be, to receive the gift of humility to the core. Praise God!
Ask first and foremost God for spiritual discernment. Sometimes it's good to listen to people. Don't speak. Keep your judgments & opinions to yourself. Just support & pray for the person going through a difficult time.
I agree with all the comments made. In life we will never have all the answers. Only in Heaven and New Earth will we be ever learning.
I cannot trust what I experience to everyone for fear or ridicule or they being disappointed in me. How ever I tell it all to Jesus and feel confident that He will hear me and comfort and guide me aright.
Even Jesus needed a comforter and that is why He took Peter and James and John to the top of
a lonely hill of transfiguration.When these disciples did not measure up to that task ,Heaven sent Moses and Elijah who encouraged Him to go a head and face the cross.
I totally agree with all the above. I must add that there are a lot of innocent victims out there who suffer from trumped up charges when the truth is intertwined with the statements of witnesses who all have a limited perspective and being driven by different spirits. I recall in my recent past having lost a good job when i did so well for the company. I prevented what was going to be a disaster for the company and the country, saving the lives of 45 elite people in the process and having nothing to do with the cause of the incident. But this truth was only known to me and God. To the rest i was at fault i and lost the job. I have languished for three good years facing my peers as Job did, claiming an innocence that only existed in my heart. At a time when those who knew me closely started to write me off from my career and from their list of close friends God has given me a job with much better prospects. But looking back, the 3 years have not been all in vain. God has transformed me and adopted me into His Family. For i was indeed a lost child but now i am found. I praise God! I had to pass through that to get where i am spiritually and God knew this all along. I am spiritually sound with a better job and living with real HOPE!! Proverbs 14:10. So what's between you and God is what really matters in the end.
Hi Robert I agree that "there is a time when one has to deal with his issues all alone" but there are other times when we need to reach out to others so they can have the opportunity to "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ"(Galatians 6:2)(KJV) We are here for each other, as flawed as we are. and I think we need to develop our compassion skills as opposed asking those burdened to not seek solace in friends. I do understand that others may have their issues but sometimes by telling them yours,it can help them to see that they are not alone and others are having similar issues even if they cannot help. As Karen said maybe we should ask God to help us to discern those who we can share our concerns/burdens with. We are our brothers/sisters' keepers.
Hi Georgia,
This is what we call testimony. Brothers and sisters the love of God changes everything, no one can deny your personal experience with him. This is what makes our salvation story, or testimonies, so powerful.
There are two things that should always be included in everyone's daily prayer "wisdom and humility." We can never have enough of them.
There is an old saying; think before you speak. You see situations vary. We cannot feel another person's pain. Pain is not something we can see. Only a professional can attempt to measure our pain. Sometimes not even you can correctly measure your own pain. But God Himself knows and feel our pain, He knows, when and what. He has the right remedy for every pain. So we come right back to where we began, trusting God even in the simple things, and in all things do good, practice the fruit of the spirit. If you cannot say good, a silent prayers will help. A simple bit of a fruit causes eternal hell, a slip of the tongue and bad thoughts can cause sin. Love is the greatest of all. Remember satan uses Subtle shady and deceitful way to ambush us and ours, but he can only do this when we permit him to. Similarly, God can only do the work in us when we permit Him to so. May God bless us and keep us from all evil. Let us Love even if we have no reason to love. God is love. Blessings
This evening I lent a listening ear to a brother in need and even though I needed to be heard I listened and ended our talk with a prayer. What I have learnt time and time again, is that it isn't always about me. Therefore I will listen to ensure that if that is all I can do, I will do it well through Christ who strengthens me. We are our brothers keepers and even though we need to spend time alone with Jesus, let us remember that He too spend time with others when they were in need.
And we must also remember that we are all at different level in our Christian faith what you and I can manage and take to the Lord in prayer other person find it difficult and need someone just to listen and give comforting words. May God bless us and keep us humble
As we discuss, let us bear in mind the backdrop of what befell Job. The issues surrounding Job should be object lessons to us. Good and evil at play. The adversary attributed Job's fidelity to God because of wealth.
His three or four friends that constantly nagged at Job and also his constant reprisal of their claim should remind us of the great controversy that is played out in our individual lives. The attitude and character of Job in the midst of accusation should be emulated for all of us. He humbled himself even to the point of death. Abasement is the beginning of exaltation. Similar situation happened to Joseph in Pharaoh's place, accused of wanting to sleep with the king's wife. After accusation, he was thrown into dungeon- but afterward he rose to the summit of the kingdom. His character bore alike of adversity and prosperity- same fidelity to God was manifested as when in pharaoh's prison cell.
There brothers and sisters, as long as we remain loyal to our Maker, the arrows of the enemy will always be thrown to us. His mission is to pull down the faithful ones as we see this drama played out in Job's life. The evil one will use ANY means possible to achieve his mission. He will use our families, close friends, our jobs, church mates, name them. But what is important is to know where our faith is anchored. Though Job did not know and understand why all these things were happening to him, one thing he was certain of, His redeemer will one day rescue him, he looked beyond his current situation- faith and hope so amazing.
For me, this is what has inspired me in the life of Job. These things were written for our admonition whose end of age has come.
May the good Lord give us courage and increase our faith and dependence on Him as intense battles engulf us in these last days.
A question; What was the source of information for the knowledge about God for the friends of Job? As the lesson says it was limited.
Corneliu
The book of Job shows there is a far wider field to the question. Earth is the theater of the universe in which Satan is allowed to demonstrate his form of operation, and also where God shows how He saves in spite of Satan's operations.
Job did have a problem in thinking God unfair, due to the fact he (Job) had lived an upright life. He actually made a statement that he would like to take God to court and "contend" with Him. God reproves Job for this. Job does grow in his understanding of undeserved grace which God bestows, but that was not the reason why this multitude of trouble swept over Job.
It was also a lesson for the universe --
Sin is unfair. The so called "innocent" suffer, often while the perpetuators of sin often go unscathed for years.
The test was on relying on God and trusting in Him to see one through the trouble. Was the relationship between Job and God strong no matter what life threw at him, or was it only built on a (if you bless me then I will worship you) basis). Though Job had serious agonizing doubts, he did cling to his faith in God. He understood -- "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though I die and my body decays, yet in my flesh I shall see Him!"
We are getting close to the end of this lessons and I am afraid I will still have unanswered questions as to why God has allowed this to happen to Job. I read a comment that Job was self-righteous as the reason. What do you think?
Even Job did not get an answer to this question. So I don't think we should expect an answer.
I would hope, however, that we can learn from the attitude of Job throughout the story - an attitude of total trust, no matter what happened to him. (Job 13:15) This kind of faith is developed only through experience with God. Yet, even at the end of the story, Job recognized that even he did not understand God fully. See Job 42:1-6 Perhaps the example of Job's character and testimony is the greatest lesson in this book?
I do not think that Job was self-righteous. Job was like many of us going through tribulations who question why this is happening. What I got from these lessons is that when we face difficulties we should not question why, because, we live in a sinful world. Instead, put or faith and trust in God. He said that He would not forsake us. I know this from my own experiences. God has been my refuge and strength, He has helped me through very trying situations when I had no one to turn to.