It didn’t take long for the news about Job and his wife to spread to his friends. When they heard of his adversity, three of them quickly went to comfort him. When they arrived they were horrified by what they saw. He was in such a sad state that they didn’t even recognize him. They wept, tore their robes, threw dust on their heads, and sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. Job’s grief was so evident that they didn’t speak a word to him for that entire time.
Job finally broken the silence and began to lament the day he had been born. He wished to God that he had never seen the light of day. He was so bitter and in grief, he wanted to die, saying, “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” He had lost his beloved children, his great wealth, his health, his looks, his dignity, and the support of his wife. But he still had friends. He had three faithful friends who had come to comfort him; wonderful friends who had dropped everything to be by his side.
Oliver Wendell Homes said “friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.” Eliphaz the Temanite sweetly complimented Job. He said that Job had instructed many and strengthened weak hands. Perhaps Job's spirits were slightly lifted by his words. But then Eliphaz said, “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off? Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”
Continued Monday...
No comments:
Post a Comment