Job Ch.11-21

The Book of Job continues with discussions between Job and his three friends. These conversations represent a lack of true friendship. Zophar, in his arrogance, was the kind of person who has an answer for everything; he was completely insensitive to Job’s unique situation. It is important to note that although the three friends spoke of as God’s limitless and Almighty, they believed that Job’s suffering was directly related to sins he had not repented; even though they were correct in the importance of confessing sin, they were wrong about the cause of Job’s suffering. They insisted and preached their positions without considering the devastating pain Job was in. Job affirmed that no leader has any real wisdom apart from God. Scientific discovery, research and reports cannot outweigh God’s opinion. God’s wisdom is superior to any worldly discovery. Job’s profound speech illustrates truth; to have a right set of doctrines is not enough to please God; truth untested by life’s experiences become stagnant. Pain and suffering brings a dynamic to life that makes life worth living. Have you experienced tremendous pain in your life? When you look back years later at your suffering, are you drawn closer to God in gratitude or have you allowed your pain to drive a wedge in your relationship with God?

Job’s friends should have comforted him. Instead they condemned him for causing his own suffering. Job replied, “I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will you long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.”(Job 16:2) Job reveals several ways to comfort those in pain: 1) Don’t talk just for the sake of talking; 2) Don’t sermonize by giving pat answers; 3) don’t accuse or criticize; 4) put yourself in the other person’s place; 5)offer help and encouragement. The best comforters are those who know something about personal suffering. If you have undergone extreme pain yourself; think how many people you could help who are going through the same thing or those that need someone who understands pain to comfort them? Remember, it’s not all about you. Whether it is a blessing or a curse; God wants us to use our growth and development through these experiences to help others.

Job said, “All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones…will you never get enough of my flesh?”(Job19:19) It is easy to point out someone’s mistakes and sins. Job’s friends continue to accuse him trying to inflict guilt instead of encouragement. If you are a friend to someone where you are in a position to counsel and possibly correct behavior; be sure that you confront in love; not because you are inconvenienced, annoyed or seeking blame.

Even in Job’s state, his heart remained for God, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; how my heart yearns within me.”(Job 19:25) This is tremendous faith in the face of darkness and despair. Job still expected to see God in his own body; he firmly believed that in the end God would be on his side. His beliefs were so strong, that Job was the first to talk about the resurrection of the body. Job was certain that God’s justice would triumph; even if it would take a miracle like resurrection to accomplish this. Isn’t that interesting what beliefs can enter into one’s heart even through a devastating trial? This proves the Holy Spirit at work through Job’s trials.

In the end, God’s justice will prevail. We should not be impressed with the success and power of evil people. God’s judgment on them is certain. So when you question why good things happen to bad people and bad things to good people, remember this truth. In the real world, evil people do prosper and people cannot use their circumstances to measure their own goodness of God’s. Success to Job’s friends was based on outward performance; but God measures success by your heart; and only God knows the depths and truth of your heart. There is no hiding from our creator. If you are concerned with the current state of your heart and feeling guilty of wickedness you know lies deep in your heart; even if your countenance would never show it; begin by changing your actions, practicing selfless behavior and offering your help to others and your heart will transform and be pleasing in the eyes of God.