Book of Job- Scene Three
If you’ve ever witnessed the last stages of a devastating disease then you’ll understand the grief and sorrow Job’s three friends felt when they saw the suffering he was enduring and they were powerless.
Job’s friends gave him the gift of their presence; they showed up. Sometimes that’s the best gift you can give someone who’s in pain: physically or emotionally. Go to them, physically be there, don’t rely on text, email, or a call: be there.
The friends didn’t give their opinions … at first, they were good listeners without giving their perspective or advice. Oh my, what a gift that is! In their silence Job finally opened up with words, not of worship as before, but of deep sorrow.
The poetry of Job begins in Chapter Three as he digs himself into a pit of depression; he was sorry that Eloah (God) had created him. He was hoping for death to come quickly but instead had to endure his suffering; some believe it was many months.
We find the question ‘why’ many times in this chapter and yet Job received no answer; have you ever been there? “Why me? Why my kid or my husband?” and you hear nothing.
After a week of sitting silently and listening to Job, Eliphaz, who seems to be the ringleader, speaks up first. In 48 verses, two chapters, he tells Job, paraphrased, “This is your fault. You’re reaping what you sowed.” Eliphaz also gave his prediction (5:8-27) of what he’d do under the same circumstances, how ridiculous if you’ve never experienced them. Don’t be an Eliphaz, don’t give your opinions if you’re not asked, and practice nonjudgmental listening.
After two more dialogues with Job, Eliphaz’s counsel turns into accusation. He got on a roll and in chapters 15 and 22, 63 verses later, determined that Job is to blame. His character was not enough for God and now he’s being punished.
Is it because you’re so pious that He accuses you and brings judgment against you? No, it’s because of your wickedness! There’s no limit to your sins. Job 22:4-5
The more Eliphaz talked, the deeper he dug his hole. That’s what too many words will do; they get you in trouble. To better understand the book of Job we have to read the end of the book. God spoke to him (42:7) about his counsel and He’s fiery mad. Eliphaz and the other two friends had misrepresented Him.
I challenge you to read the first seven chapters of Job, concentrating on the invisible, spiritual realm (ch. 1&2), and the result of depression (ch. 3) and wrong judgments (ch. 4-5). Thankfully, Eliphaz closes with words of encouragement but Job can’t receive them. He spends chapters 6 & 7 a hopeless man. Don’t get lost in the poetry but feel Job’s pain and know that God had a purpose for us in this story whether you’re enduring the pain or a friend on the sidelines.
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