Read Job 4-5.
For a week, Job's three friends have said nothing. But once Job broke the silence, they felt
free to speak. The conversation between
these four runs all the way through chapter 37.
It is immediately obvious that Job's friends never took the
50 hours of training in Stephens Ministry.
While along the way the men speak nuggets of truth, their intent was
most often misguided correction. They
wrongfully assumed that bad things happen to bad people. Therefore, Job with all his outward signs of
godliness must have some awful hidden sin that caused this calamity.
Eliphaz accused Job of being impatient and reaping what he
sowed. His advice: "As for me, I
would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and
unsearchable, marvelous things without number." (5:8-9) And, "Behold, blessed is the one whom
God reproves; therefore, despise not the discipline of the Almighty."
(5:17)
His theology is sound.
It is the application that is amiss.
He called upon Job to repent of sin, thinking that these tragedies were
punishments from God. Such was not the
case. This was a test of Job's faith,
not a punishment. The instigator was
Satan, not God.
Unless there is some evidence of violation of God's word, we
must always be careful and slow in our judgments. Blatant disobedience needs swift
correction. But a tragedy is not always
the result of personal sin. Also, it
impossible to know what God is doing or how He will chose to use this painful
experience in the future.
Hurting people need the comfort and encouragement of a
friend.
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be
quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." (James 1:19)
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