We can make life so difficult by being self-righteous, superior, and pious. We feel that we are caring for others when we offer our “holier-than-thou” advice based on our limited knowledge and perceptions. Isn’t this what happened to Job? His three friends come to visit. Job has lost so much and now he is deathly sick and bedridden. Where do you find yourself in this situation? Who do you relate to?
The 3 friends begin to talk to Job. One by one they begin to explain that good prospers and the wicked are in distress. According to his friends Job is in distress therefore Job is not pleasing to God? Where does that leave Job? Job decides things happen that we just don’t understand and rebukes his friends. Just what sin has he committed to allow God to treat him this way? Where do you find yourself now in this situation? Who are you relating to now?
Job appeals to God and begs for God to appear to him and fast!! Job just does not know how to make himself right with God.
But his friends begin their character attack again. Now where are you in this account?
When I put myself in Job’s place my heart breaks for him. I don’t ever want to be able to totally understand the depths of Job’s pain, but I understand what it feels like when you think God has walked away. Have you ever had that happen to you? Feeling God just walked away? But now with life experience, I can say that when I thought He left me, He actually was right there, never far from me, yet allowing me to do His will, either learning a lesson or allowing me to become the woman He’s made me to be. It does not feel good at the time yet, it always turns out to be the best for me. Where are your thoughts now?
When I put myself in the 3 friends place I can see me giving advice to a friend (though I hope never as relentless as Job’s friends). The book of Job makes me wonder how many times, with good intentions, have I unintentionally damaged or hurt a friend of mine, using “holier-than-thou” relenting advise? Forgive me, please!
There are wonderous lessons for all of us to gleam out of this horrific account. May God bless you and be with you as you continue your journey through The Book of Job.