Dale Ridge church of Christ

(See the end of this article for crossword puzzles on Job chapters 16-18; here are links for the crossword puzzles on Job chapters 13-15; Job chapters 7-12; and Job chapters 1-6)

Being compassionate and sensitive are without question some of the most valuable characteristics of those in the medical field.  Besides being concerned about being up-to-date and knowledgeable about a particular area of medical health, most people know of the importance of a doctor with a good bedside manner.

When Job’s three friends arrived from afar, they seem to have come with the best of intentions.  Not only did they come from a great distance, but they appear to have mourned genuinely for him when they came to him (Job 2:12-13).  When they begin to talk with their suffering friend, they seem to have been somewhat gentle in their approach (Job 4:2).  Eliphaz even begins with some complimenting statements about Job (Job 4:3-4) and seems to be hopeful for Job—at least in the beginning. 

Eliphaz and his cohorts just could not help themselves and just had to speak their minds (Job 4:1).  Though they may have tried to be helpers, ultimately, they became “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2) and “physicians of no value” (Job 13:4).  Obviously, when we seek to serve the suffering and help the hurting, we want to be far removed from what these three friends became.  But how can we do that?  I believe we can be better servants to the suffering by learning from Job’s friends.

We Should be Uplifting

First, when helping the hurting, we should be uplifting.  Job’s friends were miserable comforters because they began to tear Job down instead of building him up during a time of great anguish and despair.  Job said they broke him in pieces with their words (Job 19:2).  He explained that if they were hurting and in his shoes, they could best believe that he would be uplifting them (Job 16:4-5).  There is a time for correction and instruction, and there is a time for building up (Ecc. 3:3).

We Need to be Sensitive

Second, those who suffer need those around them who are sensitive to support them.  Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are described by Job as those who were without wisdom (Job 17:10) and as those who vexed his soul (Job 19:2).  Here was a man who lost it all in an instant, and instead of listening and respecting Job’s needs, Job’s friends went on the attack.  Berating Bildad begins his first speech with an insinuation that Job’s children were great sinners, and therefore, they were punished by their deaths (Job 8:4).  Zealous Zophar told Job that he did not get near what he deserved (Job 11:6).   In fact, his friends were so insensitive that he likened them to persecutors (Job 19:22).  It is an old cliché, but with friends like these, who would need enemies?

What Job needed and what everyone needs when they are enduring difficult circumstances are those who are caring and compassionate.  They need those who will be understanding and sensitive.  The New Testament tells us that we are to “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).  Jesus was one who was full of compassion and sensitive for those who were hurting and in need (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Matthew 20:34).  We are instructed in the Bible to be those who are compassionate and sensitive like our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:17; Ephesians 4:32).

We Need to be Understanding

The Book of Job presents to us a group of people with a general, limited understanding of the nature of God and the nature of man.   In order to be better equipped servants to the suffering, we need to understand better who God is.  Job said of his “miserable comforters” that they were without understanding (Job 17:4); that they were without shame in wronging him (Job 19:3); and he described them as those with wrongful imaginations against him (Job 21:27). 

They had the misunderstanding that all suffering is the direct result of sin.  They believed in retribution theology.   Each of Job’s friends brought this belief to the table in one form or another, and each of them explained that they derived their understanding of it from one source or another.   But in each case, they were all in error (Job 42:7).

As a result of this misunderstanding of theirs, they treated Job wrongfully.  They saw him as a great sinner and a hypocrite.  While it is true that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8), it is not the case that all suffering is the result of sin (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3).  Job suffered because of his faith, not because he faltered.  God’s goodness is given to all (Romans 2:4).  We are to follow that example (Galatians 6:10).  

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_16 ; printable version - job_chap_16
•  Interactive version – job_chapter_17 ; printable version - job_chap_17
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_18 ; printable version – job_chap_18

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Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on November 2nd, 2008