Cold Comfort

Focus verses: Job 16:1-17

The dialogue between Eliphaz and Job continues. Eliphaz continues that it is the wicked whom God afflicts. And that Job cannot possibly be righteous.

Job, however, has been righteous. And he knows it. He claims it. He doesn't understand why God allowed this to happen, nor does he buy into the lie that he must have done something to bring it on himself.

Too often, we tend to blame the victim. If a woman is the victim of domestic violence, she carries a double shadow. What did she do to deserve this? Why doesn't she leave him? So the situation becomes her fault -- somehow.

If you are not prospering in your business or personal relationships, it must be that you have done something wrong. You are not pleasing the Lord, or He would make things prosper for you.

It doesn't work that way. And those people who insist that is does should stay away from sorrow and tragedy in other people's lives. The last thing a sufferer needs is someone to shake a finger in his face and point out his shortcomings.

Father, God,

Help me to speak words of life and comfort to those around me who suffer. Let me reflect some of Your light and love into each life I touch.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

What Friends - Part One

Focus verses: Job 7:17-21

Job's friends were a comfort to him as they sat in silence with him in his grief. Then they opened their mouths and blew it!

Chapters four through seven are the admonition of Eliphaz and Job's response to that instruction.

You see, Eliphaz subscribes to the theory that if you prosper on earth, you have been faithful to God. And if calamity befalls you, it's because you are harboring some secret sin. Calamity and tragedy are somehow the result of your own improper actions.

It's a very human response. We seem to need simplistic answers. "If this, then that" is the heart of our cause and effect, linear reasoning. If something bad happens, you must have done something to deserve it.

What Eliphaz doesn't know is that spiritual warfare is taking place here. There is a battle in the heavenlies that neither he nor Job can see or understand.

Job, however, does know something about proportion. He asks "what is man?" and the inference is "in comparison to God." Job recognizes the difference between God and man in a way that his friends seem not to understand. He doesn't really understand it himself.

Eliphaz is caught up in the "blame the victim" mind set. If something bad happens, it's because you did something to bring it on. That isn't necessarily so.

Job did nothing to bring on this sorrow, He was simply faithful to God. Eliphaz has failed the test for comforting friend. He has brought judgment and condemnation rather than solace.

Father, God,

Deliver us from a judgmental spirit. Fill us with faith that whatever happens, You are aware and You are in charge. Grant us the grace to rely upon You in all circumstances.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.