JOB'S FRIENDS
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"
Job had some "friends" (I have to use that term, lightly) come by at the worst possible time. You may have had this experience--I certainly have. At the toughest, most trying time in your life you have those people who come to not help bear the burden, but to suggest (rather forcefully and judgmentally) why and how you got in the predicament. Gee, thanks. Even if you are at fault--it's hindsight now, so that suggestion is counterproductive; how do we move forward. And, frankly, if you don't have something positive to bring to an already difficult situation, maybe you should just stay home and pray (for God's will mind you, not what you think and assume).
Job's friends Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz came to see Job after he lost, literally, everything, except his wife who was in his ear suggesting that He "curse God, and die!" Job had enough sense even in his misery to recognize that God was still Sovereign, and only He could sustain him and deliver him from his present troubles. When his friend's arrived, at first they sat silently--maybe out of disgust, perhaps, waiting for Job to say something--admit his guilt, confess or something, or perchance, just to gather their thoughts before spoke to their friend. The first one to speak was Eliphaz, and he started by asking Job if he minded if they had something to say. He reminded Job that he (Job) had often been the counselor to many in times past, but now it was he who was facing God's judgment, according to Eliphaz. He had to be. No one suffered like this who was righteous, so said Eliphaz. It was all so eloquent, too. "Consider: who has perished when he was innocent? Where have the honest been destroyed? In my experience, those who plow injustice and those who sow trouble reap the same. They perish at a single blast from God and come to an end by the breath of His nostrils." [Job 4:7-9, HCSB] And, Eliphaz continued his discourse for another chapter saying that God delivers good people from bad things--always; He never leaves them to suffer. He ends with, "We have investigated this, and it is true! Hear it and understand it for yourself." [Job 5:27]
I wonder how much that stung Job. I haven't suffered anything close to what he experienced, and no one had the boldness or gall to say exactly what Eliphaz said (to me) to Job, but when I was at my lowest point, and questioning "Why?", it stung to be accused of sin, of lying, of laziness, of irresponsibility, of lack of faith, etc. etc. etc.... But, it had purpose. I didn't go through it for nothing. No child of God ever does--any suffering we go through is valuable, and if we can learn to endure it faithfully, we will see the benefits. Job answered Eliphaz, and he argued with him--and with Bildad and Zophar, too--and it seems to me, that each friend's tone became more harsh; almost as if they were trying to outdo each other. Maybe, they thought if they were severe enough, Job would eventually give in and confess his "sin". You know, I think maybe (this is my opinion) after the initial shock of the loss of family, the hardest thing Job suffered was the betrayal and barrage of accusations from his friends. It is really difficult to experience a loss, an illness, or pain, but add to it having those closest to you, accusing you for your present circumstances, the burden becomes even greater. It's a detestable thing when we allow the adversary to use us as a means of offense.
It is mind-boggling how easily we offend one another within the Body of Christ--and within our natural family's, and never seek to make amends. In Luke 17, Jesus talks to His disciples about offenses. "Jesus told his disciples, 'Situations that cause people to lose their faith are certain to arise. But how horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith! It would be best for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large stone hung around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to lose his faith. So watch yourselves! If a believer sins, correct him. If he changes the way he thinks and acts, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times in one day and comes back to you seven times and says that he is sorry, forgive him.' Then the apostles said to the Lord, 'Give us more faith.'" [Luke 17:1-5, GWT]
How much better would it be if we could learn to share and bear burdens, without judgment? What if we could come to the place where we really understood and lived as if we knew that only God sees hearts? Then, we could just respond to the suffering and pain around us, without question or commentary--or offense. We would be helpers, rather than those who impede, cripple and hinder causing "someone to lose his faith". It's a good thing God had that hedge around Job--it shielded Job from the enemy's barrage, but it also shielded him from the attacks of his friends, too. The darts flew, and the blows were dealt swiftly, and hard, but their ability to destroy were managed skillfully by God! I'm so glad, God holds the reins! What they said hurt him, but it couldn't destroy him--God wouldn't allow that to happen to his servant then, or now. (So, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." STAND.)
I suppose the only thing that will change the way we behave toward those who suffer is a change in our thinking regarding the relationship between sin and suffering. Today, thousands of years later, many still believe that suffering is directly tied to how unrighteous a person is, and conversely, blessings (natural) are directly tied to how good and full of faith a person is, even though Scripture tells us otherwise, over and over again. Starting with Job--God called him righteous, but he is the poster boy for suffering, to this day. Jesus Christ, the Perfect Suffering Servant, should forever put that lie to rest. Matthew 5:45 says, "...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." In John 9, when asked if the man born blind was the result of his own sin or his parents, Jesus said, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." The Bible says this of Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost...full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people...And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." And, they stoned Stephen. The 11th chapter of Hebrews lists the "great cloud of witnesses" who suffered immeasurably--"tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." What would we do with all of these that the Bible declares righteous--who suffered so much?
Whether or not a person is suffering because of sin is a matter best left between that person and God. Pray for them, but don't be the offensive salt in the wound. When God restores, (and it isn't always in the natural sense!) you always want to be found on the right side. If God be for us....
LOVE is kind.
Job had some "friends" (I have to use that term, lightly) come by at the worst possible time. You may have had this experience--I certainly have. At the toughest, most trying time in your life you have those people who come to not help bear the burden, but to suggest (rather forcefully and judgmentally) why and how you got in the predicament. Gee, thanks. Even if you are at fault--it's hindsight now, so that suggestion is counterproductive; how do we move forward. And, frankly, if you don't have something positive to bring to an already difficult situation, maybe you should just stay home and pray (for God's will mind you, not what you think and assume).
Job's friends Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz came to see Job after he lost, literally, everything, except his wife who was in his ear suggesting that He "curse God, and die!" Job had enough sense even in his misery to recognize that God was still Sovereign, and only He could sustain him and deliver him from his present troubles. When his friend's arrived, at first they sat silently--maybe out of disgust, perhaps, waiting for Job to say something--admit his guilt, confess or something, or perchance, just to gather their thoughts before spoke to their friend. The first one to speak was Eliphaz, and he started by asking Job if he minded if they had something to say. He reminded Job that he (Job) had often been the counselor to many in times past, but now it was he who was facing God's judgment, according to Eliphaz. He had to be. No one suffered like this who was righteous, so said Eliphaz. It was all so eloquent, too. "Consider: who has perished when he was innocent? Where have the honest been destroyed? In my experience, those who plow injustice and those who sow trouble reap the same. They perish at a single blast from God and come to an end by the breath of His nostrils." [Job 4:7-9, HCSB] And, Eliphaz continued his discourse for another chapter saying that God delivers good people from bad things--always; He never leaves them to suffer. He ends with, "We have investigated this, and it is true! Hear it and understand it for yourself." [Job 5:27]
I wonder how much that stung Job. I haven't suffered anything close to what he experienced, and no one had the boldness or gall to say exactly what Eliphaz said (to me) to Job, but when I was at my lowest point, and questioning "Why?", it stung to be accused of sin, of lying, of laziness, of irresponsibility, of lack of faith, etc. etc. etc.... But, it had purpose. I didn't go through it for nothing. No child of God ever does--any suffering we go through is valuable, and if we can learn to endure it faithfully, we will see the benefits. Job answered Eliphaz, and he argued with him--and with Bildad and Zophar, too--and it seems to me, that each friend's tone became more harsh; almost as if they were trying to outdo each other. Maybe, they thought if they were severe enough, Job would eventually give in and confess his "sin". You know, I think maybe (this is my opinion) after the initial shock of the loss of family, the hardest thing Job suffered was the betrayal and barrage of accusations from his friends. It is really difficult to experience a loss, an illness, or pain, but add to it having those closest to you, accusing you for your present circumstances, the burden becomes even greater. It's a detestable thing when we allow the adversary to use us as a means of offense.
It is mind-boggling how easily we offend one another within the Body of Christ--and within our natural family's, and never seek to make amends. In Luke 17, Jesus talks to His disciples about offenses. "Jesus told his disciples, 'Situations that cause people to lose their faith are certain to arise. But how horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith! It would be best for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large stone hung around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to lose his faith. So watch yourselves! If a believer sins, correct him. If he changes the way he thinks and acts, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times in one day and comes back to you seven times and says that he is sorry, forgive him.' Then the apostles said to the Lord, 'Give us more faith.'" [Luke 17:1-5, GWT]
How much better would it be if we could learn to share and bear burdens, without judgment? What if we could come to the place where we really understood and lived as if we knew that only God sees hearts? Then, we could just respond to the suffering and pain around us, without question or commentary--or offense. We would be helpers, rather than those who impede, cripple and hinder causing "someone to lose his faith". It's a good thing God had that hedge around Job--it shielded Job from the enemy's barrage, but it also shielded him from the attacks of his friends, too. The darts flew, and the blows were dealt swiftly, and hard, but their ability to destroy were managed skillfully by God! I'm so glad, God holds the reins! What they said hurt him, but it couldn't destroy him--God wouldn't allow that to happen to his servant then, or now. (So, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." STAND.)
I suppose the only thing that will change the way we behave toward those who suffer is a change in our thinking regarding the relationship between sin and suffering. Today, thousands of years later, many still believe that suffering is directly tied to how unrighteous a person is, and conversely, blessings (natural) are directly tied to how good and full of faith a person is, even though Scripture tells us otherwise, over and over again. Starting with Job--God called him righteous, but he is the poster boy for suffering, to this day. Jesus Christ, the Perfect Suffering Servant, should forever put that lie to rest. Matthew 5:45 says, "...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." In John 9, when asked if the man born blind was the result of his own sin or his parents, Jesus said, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." The Bible says this of Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost...full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people...And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." And, they stoned Stephen. The 11th chapter of Hebrews lists the "great cloud of witnesses" who suffered immeasurably--"tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." What would we do with all of these that the Bible declares righteous--who suffered so much?
Whether or not a person is suffering because of sin is a matter best left between that person and God. Pray for them, but don't be the offensive salt in the wound. When God restores, (and it isn't always in the natural sense!) you always want to be found on the right side. If God be for us....
LOVE is kind.
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