When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Job’s three friends are often criticized for the things they got wrong but we should recognize those few things they did get right.
They responded to a friend in need. They came to his side in his suffering. Their hearts were filled with genuine mourning and sorrow.
These notable verses read in the past somehow were buried in the depths of this powerful biography.
Lesson of application? These men best showed their compassion prior to saying a word.
Some of their comments were accurate and sound in theology of God but they were missing a vital component which made it non-applicable to the given situation at hand. Their statements were incorrect because they misunderstood the deep, unseen things of God and the spiritual world. There was truth in some of what they said but their error was not knowing the ways of God. Most importantly, they were lacking in what Job most needed from them.
This is a valuable lesson for me to realize the occasions when it is best to remain silent. Who of us can truly understand suffering? It cannot be explained and oftentimes it is beyond our understanding. And I certainly do not know the ways of God - none of us do!
As one who naturally wants to offer words of encouragement, it is important for me to note that encouragement is often silent.Comfort can be offered in our sympathy, in our prayers, and simply in our presence.
I am wisest when I am silent.
Lesson of application? These men best showed their compassion prior to saying a word.
Some of their comments were accurate and sound in theology of God but they were missing a vital component which made it non-applicable to the given situation at hand. Their statements were incorrect because they misunderstood the deep, unseen things of God and the spiritual world. There was truth in some of what they said but their error was not knowing the ways of God. Most importantly, they were lacking in what Job most needed from them.
This is a valuable lesson for me to realize the occasions when it is best to remain silent. Who of us can truly understand suffering? It cannot be explained and oftentimes it is beyond our understanding. And I certainly do not know the ways of God - none of us do!
As one who naturally wants to offer words of encouragement, it is important for me to note that encouragement is often silent.Comfort can be offered in our sympathy, in our prayers, and simply in our presence.
I am wisest when I am silent.
You are the God of all comfort and I give you praise. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of those afflicted. Teach me to comfort in silence. Grant me wisdom to know when to speak, if at all, and what to say. May my words always bring You glory, may they always be grounded in truth, based in love, and uplifting to the hearer. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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