Today's Scripture
Job 3:20-23; JOb 4:1-6; job 4:17
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Job 3-4; 1 Corinthians 2
Job 3: 20-22
Why is light given to one burdened with grief,
and life to those whose existence is bitter,
21 who wait for death, but it does not come,
and search for it more than for hidden treasure,
22 who are filled with much joy
and are glad when they reach the grave?
Job 4: 1-6
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 Should anyone try to speak with you
when you are exhausted?
Yet who can keep from speaking?
3 Indeed, you have instructed many
and have strengthened weak hands.
4 Your words have steadied the one who was stumbling
and braced the knees that were buckling.
5 But now that this has happened to you,
you have become exhausted.
It strikes you, and you are dismayed.
6 Isn’t your piety your confidence,
and the integrity of your life your hope
Job 4:17 (Eliaphaz)
“Can a mortal be righteous before God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?”
What does this passage say? – Contributed by Stephanie Dickenson
- Job’s friends came and demonstrating great loyalty and compassion, they sat silently at his side for seven days Job 2:11-13
- Then (Job 3:20-22) Job spoke bitterly, lamenting his great losses. The sudden devastation of his property, family, and health unleashed a bemoaning wail of utter agony especially because he didn’t understand how this all could happen.
- [When his wife saw him with boils all over his body, she saw no hope for him. “Why are you holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die.Job 2:9” (obviously Satan benevolently left Job’s wife to comfort him). And even though Job recognized “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?”] – the persistence of his suffering made him long for death.
- Job 4: 1-4 Eliaphaz was the first friend to offer kind words. He wanted to give the explanation that Job was begging for. He reminded Job that many times in the past he, Job, had been the pillar of strength and wisdom to others in times of trouble.
- Job 4: 5-6 Eliaphaz recognized Job’s good reputation/character and advised him that at the present time he was too stressed to comprehend the meaning of his suffering.
- Job 4: 17 Eliaphaz reminded Job that God’s ways are beyond our human understanding. Only God is righteous. He implied that because we are lowly creatures of God’s hands we live and prosper or perish by the mercy of our Creator.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
It is really hard to listen to someone else make sense of our distress in times of loss, suffering and failure. It is also hard to say what someone wants needs to hear at these times. No one experiences suffering in the same way. What do you say to a respected co-worker who is severed from your organization, for instance? Suddenly, all connection to the place of work is blocked. People are escorted to their desk to gather their personal belongings in the midst of everyone sometimes, and then escorted out. The only imaginable feeling I can think of is – shame.
Feeling ashamed is why people avoid others instead of seeking comfort and help. Job’s friends went to him. They did not give him great advise, they even angered and frustrated him. But they wrestled with their understanding of God right along side of Job. They revealed the questions we have and false conclusions we come to when answers aren’t apparent. As we read Job, we witness friends acting self-righteous, and friends being defensive. One thing Job does NOT say is “Leave me alone!” That is a good thing for us to remember. Our supportive company is often more important than our words.
Prayer
Almighty God, Your ways are unsearchable. You plant in us a deep desire to understand “why” and many times you don’t give us that answer. You do support us, and You give us opportunity to be supportive. And so Lord, expand our capacity to lift others up when they are down. Take away our judgmental attitudes and fill us with your patient love so others will seek Life and hope in You.
In our blessed Redeemer’s Name , Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
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