Comforting Friends

O. T. #1116  "Comforting Friends"
Dec. 15, 2017
Job 2-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

What? Shall we receive good from God and not evil? (Job 2:10b)
The LORD gave, and the LORD taketh away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21b)

Those words came from a man who had once been healthy, wealthy, and wise. (Although, Job did not throw away his wisdom  as he endured the loss of finances, family, and health.) He moved himself from the big house to the city dump where the lepers would go. Job's foolish wife encouraged him all right-she encouraged him to curse God and be done with the suffering. (They believed blaspheming was a sin that led to death.)

Whew! This poor man who had it all, ended up with nothing, in the eyes of the world that is. He didn't know what was happening to him amidst all those trials. Satan had accused Job before God of only serving God because of His blessings. In proving Job's loyalty and love, God permitted Satan to do whatever he desired, to try to prove his point. The only restriction was that Satan could not take Job's life. Through it all, Job never sinned with his lips. Through all the sleepless nights of grief, the scraping of the horrible sores covering his body, the bankruptcy. the loss of servants, Job didn't blame God and kept loving Him.

If the story of Job's patience and endurance ended there, we would have quite an example for the way a believer is to live, right?
How are you doing today, friend?
Twice in chapter 5, James tells us to be patient:

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the LORD. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. (verses 10-11)



LET IT GROW

I don't know about you, but there are times that my friends and I need a ladies lunch together. We may be small in number or take up two tables. Yes, we need times to laugh and cry and hug. Our support lets us know everything is going to be all right. There's nothing like the comfort of friends.

However, Job's life story doesn't end there. More discouragement was to come. It came in the form of three so called friends. They will be the main character until the last few chapters.They were named:

1. Eliphaz, the Temanite-the oldest, most prominent, took the lead using his philosophical  bent;
2. Bildad, the Shuhite-a scholar who used the traditions of people as his authority;
3. Zophar, the Naamathite-the most dogmatic and legalistic of the three. (Falwell)

It must have taken a few months for the word of Job's lowly condition to reach his friends in the East. They communicated among themselves and set a date to meet and go together for a visit to Job. Aw, how nice. Their purpose was to mourn with Job and to comfort him. Their intention was to show sincere sympathy to a friend going through an extremely difficult time. At least they got up and went to a hurting friend, and didn't just talk about doing it. They had no idea that their discussion to come would end by calling their dear friend a secret sinner and a hypocrite.

When someone is in need, do we go to them having the intention of comforting them and mourning with them? Are we sensitive to their needs? Can we lay aside our experiences and suffering?

LET IT GO

Mourn with  those who mourn, laugh with those who laugh.
Be all things to all people as Paul was.
Listen and love, remaining alert to the needs of others.
Endure suffering, knowing God is full of tenderness and mercy.