Read Job 5-7
Eliphaz continues his response to Job. He implies that Job must be foolish because it is the fool who is successful for a moment then loses everything in sudden disaster. It is the fools whose children are defenseless and possessions unguarded. Then he tells him to consider it joy that he is being corrected by God. (He sounds like James.) He goes on to say that when you sin, God will discipline you so Job should repent and let God finish his work. Eliphaz’s statements were true, just not true about Job.
Job counters his speech standing on the truth that God struck him down, not his sin. Job realizes that his friends are afraid because they don’t have an answer. Maybe they are afraid that since it happened to Job, who was believed to be so upright, it could happen to them. If they can somehow make it Job’s fault then they will be safe. If it is the sovereignty of God, then they could experience the same fate.
Job just wants to express his anguish. He begs his friends to just leave him alone. He does not want their opinions about why, he just needed their company and understanding.
Job is a good reminder to me that I don’t always have the answer and that is okay. Sometimes people just need a hug and the assurance that you will always love them and be there when they need you. We don’t always know what God is up to and why he answers quickly or answers slowly. His ways are so much higher than our ways and his thoughts than our thoughts.
Lord, help us to rest in your loving arms and help others climb into your lap of love. Help us to bring comfort to the hurting and be a true friend.
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