Burunche’s Blog

Job 13 Job Wants to Argue His Case with God

“Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand. I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself. As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks. If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.” Well, Job has final reached the end of his tether and he’s succinctly rebuking his false friends. So far, all these men have done is to blather on, mouthing platitudes that Job knows better than they do.

“Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments. “Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake? Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him? What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people? No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor. Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you? Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.”

“Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own hands? God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.

“Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out. I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent. Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.”

Job is completely fed up and has concluded that he would far rather face God directly than endure the continued slander and pious lectures of his self-styled friends. Now Job is prepared to take God on, trusting that God knows that Job is a godly man, who fears Him.

Job Asks How He Has Sinned

“O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence. Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply. Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.

“Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy? Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw? You write bitter accusations against me
and bring up all the sins of my youth. You put my feet in stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints. I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.”

 “O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.” Job hopes that God will neither oppress him nor terrify him if he confronts God. But as Job is speaking, he does feel oppressed. Job feels as if God has brought up every wrong thing Job has done, particularly during his foolish youth. And Job also feels as if his feet are in stocks, binding him to one place without escape. Job might say that he feels as if God has nailed his sandals to the ground, and he cannot move. As Job surveys his body, he sees new sores erupting daily and feels as if he is rotting like termite-ridden wood or like a woolen coat that has been attacked by moths. In this day of synthetic material, clothing moths have become less common; however, clothing moths can literally turn a wool garment into lace if given sufficient opportunity.

Job’s problem here is the problem of many who suffer from chronic problems. One woman just posted a testimony on Facebook about her beloved mother who had been an incisive Bible teacher, only to wind up paralyzed and unable to feed herself when she was severely injured in a car accident. While paralyzed, this faithful woman still could communicate and still could think. In many ways, this injured lady’s plight was quite similar to that of Job-unable to move or escape the torment and forced to lie there and tolerate it. This lady described how she encouraged her mother that lying there and praying and praising the Lord was actually a more magnificent kind of work than she had ever done with her Bible teaching, fruitful as it had been.

Sometimes we suffer because of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. At one point, we were members of a church that had been a vibrant fellowship when we joined it. Unfortunately, later, the man in whose home the church had begun seized control and began trying to severely restrict worship as well as dictating the fashion in which the young preacher should handle things. This major upheaval in the church hit at a time when we were facing a crisis in our personal lives as well; however, God did not allow us to use that crisis as an excuse and demanded that we stay in that congregation and pray until He changed things. We say that God nailed our shoe soles to the floor of that church. Eventually, God sent a new pastor to lead the church, and the first time the man who had been controlling everything tried to dictate things, this man responded, “Well, you’re welcome to accompany me when I make my pastoral visits, but I take my instructions from the Lord.” Once this new pastor was taking up his post, God released us to join a different congregation, one where we could heal and grow.

Two generations ago, company loyalty was prized, and those who began work at such companies might anticipate remaining with them for their entire careers. These days, people change jobs as readily as they change clothes and companies generally demonstrate no sense of commitment to long-time workers. Dedication and self-sacrifice count for little or nothing. Since long-term workers draw bigger salaries, company bean counters love to replace those with experience and judgement with someone lacking both those qualities because a younger employee costs less in the short-term. One of our friends headed the income tax division of a large company in Memphis, only to go into work one morning and find that he was suddenly faced with two choices: take early retirement at the age of 63 or move to Chicago, where the company was re-locating this division. Our friend chose early retirement after working for that company for more than 30 years.

The callous mistreatment many workers endure leaves them reluctant to commit to any corporation; yet, sometimes God will still nail their shoe soles to the floor. What can we do if we find ourselves in such a position? The advice that lady gave her paralyzed mother still applies: pray for those around you and praise God in the midst of your trials. Remember that God is still in management while we are only in advertising; God always is doing far more in our situations than we can possibly imagine. When we glorify God in the midst of our problems, we are standing in opposition to the Devil. God has no other warriors apart from us, and He needs those who will stand firm, no matter what. May God help us, so that when He nails our shoe soles to the floor, we don’t try to slide out of the shoes and escape!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You and to trust You, even when You force us to remain in unpleasant circumstances. We know that You are a good God and that Your ways are higher than ours. Help us to trust where we cannot see and to remain faithful, no matter what. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 12 Job Presents His Case

“Then Job answered: “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die! But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping. The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure—those who carry their god in their hands.”

When bad things happen to someone who has trusted in God, immediately those around him begin laughing and mocking. “Why did you ever believe God was caring for you? Look what’s happened. Where is your faith now? What good is it?” At the moment, Job doesn’t have any easy answers, for he too is wondering why God has chosen to allow him to suffer like this. Now Job poses the question that has troubled righteous people for centuries: why do righteous people suffer while unrighteous people prosper?

“But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.”  Despite all the disasters that have befallen him, Job continues to trust that God is sovereign and rules over everything.

“Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food? Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life. Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His. What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released. If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land. True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His. He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges. He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists. He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established. He deprives the trusted of speech and takes away the discernment of elders.”

“He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty. He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light. He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them. He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.”

Amazing! Here is this old man, sitting on an ash heap, scraping at running sores that pain him 24/7, enduring verbal assaults by acquaintances, and yet Job utters one of the most stirring paeans of praise to God ever conceived. Even as Job is suffering, he is still honoring God. How many of us can say that we have done the same?

Having spoken about God’s creation and control of nature, now Job describes God’s moving among the nations. One wonders how Job’s so-called friends can sit there and listen to these magnificent descriptions and yet criticize him. But these guys are on a roll. It’s “Beat up on Job Day,” and they’re not about to let go of the opportunity to tear Job down under the guise of helping him. One wonders why these men have chosen to behave like this, for with friends like these, Job doesn’t need any enemies!

Unfortunately, the world is full of self-styled critics. The advent of social media has given many of these people unlimited avenues of opportunity to criticize others who are suffering. On Facebook recently, some of those posting about the flooding in Texas have been forced to turn off people’s ability to comment on their posts because of vicious criticisms posted by those who have never endured such a disaster. Self-styled experts have criticized everyone involved in any fashion, no matter how remote their association to the flooding.

Going back 20 years, when Hurricane Katrina suddenly took a right-hand turn and went through Bourne Pass and into Lake Pontchartrain, nobody anticipated the devastation that would result in New Orleans. But that didn’t prevent critics from attacking all those involved at that time. (We had friends who had just sold their house on Bourne Pass a few months prior to Katrina; that house stood up on a hill but still took water up to the level of the second story. Other friends in Venetian Isles-basically at sea level-fared far worse, losing everything.)

Disasters happen! Floods, forest fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes-even when we do our best to build sensibly, avoiding flood plains and trying to manage the timber and underbrush around our houses, we can still lose everything. In such situations, we are blessed if we survive with our lives and health intact. In the wake of disasters, what is needed is help, not criticism. One of the most heartening things is the massive outpouring of practical help for the flood victims. Faced with the unsavory task of finding bodies or body parts, local law enforcement and fire service have found their efforts greatly enhanced by specialty units from other parts of America and even from other countries.

Once more, these passages from Job emphasize two points: the sovereignty and majesty of God and the inability of people to control Him. What can we learn from these verses? In this age of ChatGPT and AI, people are turning to computers as the sources of all knowledge. But AI is definitely artificial and only as intelligent as whoever programs it. (I struggle with AI on a daily basis, for the ideas about English grammar held by those who have programmed it directly conflict with the rules I learned long ago from my mother who taught English.) But God is far wiser than any computer and is an Innovator, something computers can only do if someone programs them in that direction.

If we begin worshiping computers and what they can do rather than the One True Living God, we fall into the trap described eloquently by Saint Paul in Romans 1:18-23 “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”

Job suffered but continued to worship God. Ultimately, God rewarded him for his faith. Who or what are we worshiping? Are we following Job’s example?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, You are the Author and Creator of everything, and You are the One who deserves all our praise and worship. Help us to truly honor You in all that we say and do. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 11 Zophar’s First Response to Job

“Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: “Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?”

Oh dear! So far, Job has heard from Eliphaz and Bildad; now Zophar is weighing in. Look at Zophar’s horrible accusations! Job has been glorifying God even as he has been begging God to simply allow him to die. Hasn’t Zophar been listening? Evidently not, for Zophar is accusing Job of babbling.

“You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ If only God would speak;
    if only he would tell you what he thinks! If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
    for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!”

Good old Zophar! Never mind that he has no idea how much Job has been suffering. Zophar is absolutely certain that he knows best and that God is punishing Job. Zophar is so arrogant that he is sure Job even deserves worse punishment than he has already suffered. What more punishment can Job possibly undergo? But Zophar continues.

“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld—what do you know? It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea.” Oh joy! Yet another person spouting off verbiage about God. Obviously, Zophar has not been paying the slightest attention to anything Job has been saying. Zophar is one of those guys who sits jiggling his leg nervously, waiting impatiently for you to finish what you’re saying so he can make his pronouncements.

“If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.” Great! Now Zophar is implying that Job is empty-headed, foolish, and false. But this is a man who has enjoyed a spotless reputation in the community for years, so when has he changed? Community members are generally quite sharp when it comes to detecting frauds, and there are no secrets in a small town. Besides that, if Job is so terrible, then why has Zophar bothered to sit for seven days and nights grieving with him? Was all that effort simply for show?

 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.”  

Once more, Job is confronted with a self-styled friend who wants to redeem any vicious remarks made previously by mouthing pious sentiments about God. Too bad Zophar hasn’t had the good sense to simply remain quiet. Here’s Job, still sitting in ashes, scraping those blisters draining foul-smelling pus, losing weight because nothing tastes good, and trying to get some relief from the pain. Now Job must counter all these ridiculous accusations. What can Job do?

There are times when we are accused unjustly that we cannot do anything. Faced with those who seize on anything we say and attempt to twist it to prove our guilt, the best choice is silence. It’s human to want to respond and to argue; however, sometimes arguments accomplish nothing. We have the advantage over Job in that we have the example of Jesus. 1 Peter 2:21-23 tells us, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”

Many times, we have no choice except to leave matters to God. Psalm 75:6-7 tells us, “For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.” We want so much to defend ourselves, but God is the only One who can change hearts. So, upon receiving vicious criticism, examine it to see if there’s any truth in it. Then after that examination, give it to God.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to counter unjust criticism and insults with holy silence. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 10 Job’s Plea to God

“I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me. Does it please You to oppress me, to reject the work of Your hands and favor the schemes of the wicked? Do You have eyes of flesh? Do You see as man sees? Are Your days like those of a mortal, or Your years like those of a man, that You should seek my iniquity and search out my sin—though You know that I am not guilty, and there is no deliverance from Your hand?”

What is God’s nature? Is God kind and loving, or is He vicious and vindictive? Is God sitting in heaven simply waiting for the right time to torment us? These are the questions with which Job is now wrestling. When bad things happen, it’s natural to wonder if God is really sovereign and if He cares. Since God is immortal, how can He possibly understand our human struggles?

“Your hands shaped me and altogether formed me. Would You now turn and destroy me? Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust? Did You not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese? You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and loving devotion, and Your care has preserved my spirit. Yet You concealed these things in Your heart, and I know that this was in Your mind: If I sinned, You would take note, and would not acquit me of my iniquity.” All Job’s previous life, he has trusted God and has believed in God’s benevolent nature. Job fully realizes that God has carefully created him, but why would God create a man simply to destroy him?

“If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction. Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me. You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave. Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me! If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave. Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort, before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”

 Now Job asks a question that has plagued humanity: why should God create us, only to destroy us? And why would God allow us to suffer? Why shouldn’t God allow sufferers to simply die quietly?

What Job does not know is God’s purpose in allowing him to suffer. Despite all Job’s fears, God does not want Job to die but to demonstrate fortitude and patience in the face of misery. God actually has a wonderful future planned for Job, one that will completely wipe out the memory of all the trials Job has endured. If Job were to die right now, he would simply become another nameless statistic and we would never hear about him.

God puts much more stress on us than we think that we can tolerate. One writer has compared the stress God places on his servants to the stress an archer employs when he pulls the string on a bow until he reaches the maximum point of stress. If we were the bow, we would complain bitterly as the archer continued to pull the string as far as it could go. “Archer!” we would say, “Why can’t you just allow me to relax a bit? Give me a little rest! Don’t pull so hard! I’m about to snap!” Left to ourselves, we would remain slack and unfit to effectively launch an arrow. But God knows us better than we know ourselves, and God knows how much stress is necessary to produce His desired results. God also knows the amount of strength He has already given us and the additional strength He will give us when necessary.

Live long enough and sooner or later, you WILL find yourself stretched to the max. At that point, you will find yourself echoing Job’s complaints. But there’s one aspect we don’t consider: God’s help. J. Hudson Taylor, Founder of the China Inland Mission, was fond of saying, “When God guides, He provides.” Taylor began as a missionary with a small London-based mission, but rapidly learned that the mission had no idea how much financial support was actually required for a single male missionary in China. In addition, Taylor realized that the ministry model his original mission had was not productive but encouraged missionaries to remain in large cities where they would associate primarily with other missionaries. In contrast, Taylor learned to minister from a veteran missionary who had adapted national dress and was ministering in Chinese.

 Wikipedia tells us: “Taylor spent 54 years in China. The society he began was responsible for bringing in over 800 missionaries to the country who were responsible for starting 125 schools and directly responsible for more than 20,000 Chirstian conversions, as well as the establishment of more than 300 stations of work with more than 499 local helpers in more than all 18 provinces….Taylor was able to preach in 4 different Chinese dialects and wrote in the Wu dialect well enough to produce a colloquial edition of the New Testament written in it.”

Later, those continuing the work of China Inland Mission continued to expand the work so that by 1939 there were 1300 missionaries with more than 200,000 converts from all levels of Chinese society. Eventually with the Communist takeover, CIM had to withdraw from mainland China; however, the organization morphed into OMF International that continues to work in 40 countries throughout the world with 1400 workers.

How was Taylor able to accomplish so much? Isaiah 40:28-31 holds the answer. “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

By himself, James Hudson Taylor was a small British medical missionary struggling to find his place in the Kingdom of God. But Taylor had already learned to rely on God before he ever left England, and he believed that the God who had called him would continue to provide the resources, the people, and the opportunities. Although Taylor issued regular bulletins under the title “China’s Millions,” he never made appeals for funds but trusted God to provide. All CIM missionaries worked in the same fashion, trusting God to provide. OMF International remains a faith-based mission with workers depending on donations by supporters for their support.

Perhaps you share Job’s concerns right now. You feel as if God has stretched you as far as you can go; meanwhile, God wants you to allow Him to stretch you further. Remember Taylor’s motto: “Where God provides, He will provide,” and that includes providing the strength and the courage for you to continue until God reveals the bright future he has for you.  

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to continue to trust You, even when we feel stretched beyond our limits. Thank You for giving us the strength and courage to endure. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 9 Job’s Third Speech: A Response to Bildad

“Then Job spoke again: “Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight? If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?”

“Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. If he commands it, the sun won’t rise and the stars won’t shine. He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky. He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.”

“Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go. If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’ And God does not restrain his anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.”

“So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me. For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.”
“If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court? Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked. “I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me—I despise my life.”
“Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent. The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God blinds the eyes of the judges. If he’s not the one who does it, who is?”

While Job’s friends have been pontificating about God, now Job describes God’s power accurately and magnificently, demonstrating that Job knows God far better than his friends do. Once upon a time, Job believed that God was good and loving; however, now Job is confused. “And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me. For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.”

Job doesn’t know which way to turn, for he has tried to live as righteously as possible and yet he is suffering. Job assumes that God hates him; meanwhile, God is testing Job’s faith. Bad things do happen to good people, as the many stories from the recent floods in Texas serve to illustrate. Camp Mystic was a Christian camp, and one of the most enduring images from the floods is the video of the campers who survived singing praises to God as a school bus transports them to be reunited with their parents. By all accounts, those campers who died were bright spots in their homes, beloved and talented daughters whose deaths have left huge voids. Remarkably, many of the grieving families are founding scholarships or various other beneficent acts in honor of these precious girls. While these families are suffering “bitter sorrows,” they are trying to use their suffering to accomplish something wonderful for others.

“My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness. It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful, I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what’s the use of trying? Even if I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye, you would plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me.”

Here Job is addressing God. Prior to the disasters that tore away wealth and family, Job loved his life and trusted that he was worshiping a good God. Now Job is confused, fearful, and discouraged. Each new day seems to only bring more problems with no escape.

“God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.”

Notice the difference between Job’s view of God and that of his friends. Job’s friends more or less view God as a divine machine-put in enough prayers and do enough good deeds and God should instantly reward you. Failure to pray enough or to do enough will result in suffering. Job has a far bigger view of God and realizes that God is sovereign. Still, Job is human and very frustrated.

Job is also speaking out of his culture. In many traditional cultures, when a problem arises between two people or between two groups, each opposing group selects a mediator who then speaks on their behalf. It is the job of mediators to find middle ground so that disputes might be resolved successfully. The selection of a mediator is critically important, for a mediator must be someone older with good standing in the community and the ability to speak well. But how is Job to find anybody with sufficient stature to represent him before God?

We must leave Job alone as he faces this unsolvable dilemma. Job lived before the coming of Jesus Christ. The good news for us is that Jesus Christ has come into the world and that he is co-equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit; therefore, Jesus is completely qualified to be our advocate.

Hebrews 4: 14-16 tells us, “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

We are far better off than Job was, for when we trust in Jesus Christ as Savior from our sins and Lord of our lives, we can claim His help. Does this mean we won’t suffer? Ask all those families down in Texas, many of whom were strong followers of Jesus Christ. We will suffer; however, unlike Job, we have a Representative who knows our weaknesses and who has shed his blood for our sins.

Please do not hurry through this chapter but read and re-read Job’s statements about God. Here are some of the most magnificent descriptions of God’s power and glory ever written, and these words were born out of a heart of suffering. At this point in the story, Job sees no way out and only wants to die; yet, he continues to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing God. May we too respond as Job has done when we find ourselves caught in suffering with no exit.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, as Job has said, Your power and Your wisdom are beyond our understanding. Help us to trust You even in the midst of suffering. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 8 Bildad’s First Response to Job

“Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job: “How long will you go on like this? You sound like a blustering wind. Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right? Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved.”

HORRIBLE! In the wake of the catastrophic flooding in Texas, self-appointed critics began spouting all kinds of theories about what those who died or suffered during the floods should have done. One of the foulest kinds of criticism was aimed at parents who lost children through no fault of their own. Critics claimed that families should never have camped as close to the Guadelupe River as they did, or that they should have awakened sooner. The theories are ridiculous, endless, and cruel. One mother had her young son torn from her arms by the flood waters while her daughter clung to her neck. A 27-year-old father smashed through a window, nearly amputating his own arm, but creating a means of escape for the rest of his family. We know nothing about Bildad, not even whether he has a family of his own. But Bildad has no problem judging Job’s children as horrible sinners. We are tempted to wonder what Bildad’s children might do in later years.

“But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much.”

Gee thanks, Bildad! You’re saying these things to a man who has lost nine sons and one daughter, children he has hugged, kissed, comforted when they have gotten hurt, and generally has loved on for decades. While tossing and turning at night, Job remembers the sweet voices of his dead children. The last thing Job needs to hear is that he needs to pray more and be purer than he already has been. And by the way, Bildad, how pure are you? How much integrity do you have?

“Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old. Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can marsh grass flourish without water? While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither more quickly than grass. The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider’s web. They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure. The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden. Its roots grow down through a pile of stones; it takes hold on a bed of rocks. But when it is uprooted, it’s as though it never existed! That’s the end of its life, and others spring up from the earth to replace it.”

Poor Job! By now Job must be wondering what he has done to deserve Bildad coming in to lecture him on things he has known for years. When people refer to “the patience of Job,” they generally are referring to Job’s persistence in the face of physical suffering. But looking closely at the meaningless speeches of Job’s friends, it’s obvious that Job must have infinite patience to sit there while someone with far less life experience goes on ad nauseum, ad infinitum.  

“But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the home of the wicked will be destroyed.”  Nice try, Bildad, but you’ve already failed miserably. Watching Bildad try redeem himself after making foolish hurtful statements is a lot like watching a man who has painted himself into a corner get out without getting wet paint on his feet.

What is it about some people, that they say scathing things and then think they can fix everything by attaching some sugary sentiment at the end? Bildad has just spent a long time insulting Job, saying that Job’s complaints are nothing but bluster, implying that Job’s children must have been terrible sinners who deserved their fate, and that Job is a foolish man with no common sense. Now Bildad is trying to make himself look good with this final statement.

Decades ago, there was a show on American television called “The Gong Show.” This show allowed all kinds of amateur entertainers the opportunity to perform on television. Those who did well would make it through their entire performance. On the other hand, singers who couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, magicians who dropped their props, and other unfortunates would hear a loud “BONG” as a gong sounded off-stage, indicating that their time was up. At this point, Job needs a gong so he can hit it when his friends reach the point of redundant absurdity.

There’s a saying in the American South that “Everybody is good for something, even if it’s only to serve as a bad example.” Bildad is definitely a bad example. All we can do is try not to behave like Bildad!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to truly comfort others and not to abuse them while we are giving advice. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 7 Job Sees No Hope New Living Translation

“Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand, like a worker who longs for the shade, like a servant waiting to be paid. I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery. Lying in bed, I think, ‘When will it be morning?’ But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My body is covered with maggots and scabs. My skin breaks open, oozing with pus.”   

When I was growing up on a Midwestern farm, we did much of our field work on tractors with no cabs or even shades. Raking hay in July meant wearing a hat, sunscreen, and drinking lots of water as the summer sun beat down. It was wonderful when someone would bring cold water or iced tea and snacks so we could take a break and sit in the shade for a while. Here Job is comparing his suffering to that of a farm worker in the hot sun or a servant longing to get paid. But the difference is that Job’s suffering appears endless while the farm worker can go home at the end of the day and the servant will eventually get paid.

Job Cries Out to God

“My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle. They end without hope. O God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again feel happiness. You see me now, but not for long. You will look for me, but I will be gone. Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die will not come back. They are gone forever from their home—never to be seen again.” Job is caught in a paradox: the days seem endless and yet they are flying by with no relief or hope in sight. Job is trying to remind God that he, Job is only mortal and may soon die.

“I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain. Am I a sea monster or a dragon that you must place me under guard? I think, ‘My bed will comfort me, and sleep will ease my misery,’ but then you shatter me with dreams and terrify me with visions. I would rather be strangled—rather die than suffer like this.”

Even at night, Job can’t get any rest. Sleep brings nightmares, likely brought on by fever from those infected sores. And if Job isn’t careful, he will turn in the wrong direction, opening new sores that will drain more pus on his sleeping mat. Tormented by “itchy-stingy-burning” pain, Job cannot rest no matter how hard he tries.

“I hate my life and don’t want to go on living. Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days. “What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often? For you examine us every morning and test us every moment. Why won’t you leave me alone,
 at least long enough for me to swallow! If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why make me your target? Am I a burden to you? Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.”

In the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” Tevya, the milkman, is complaining to the Lord. “God,” Tevya says, “I know we (Jews) are Your chosen people, but why can’t you choose someone else for a change?” Job would definitely agree! All Job wants at this point is for God to forgive him, take away his guilt, and allow him to die quietly.

During World War I and II they called it “shell shock,” that condition that left soldiers and others emotionally wounded and fearful. These days, we recognize the condition as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and we also realize that PTSD is not limited to soldiers but that people in all walks of life who suffer traumas may fall victim. There are various levels of PTSD with some people finding relief and healing swiftly while others suffer for years. Sometimes PTSD doesn’t appear immediately but hits months or years after the triggering incident.

In its worst forms, PTSD can drive people to suicide or murder. One of the problems is recognizing PTSD and then being able to get the help needed. Yet another problem is for the sufferer to admit that he or she is suffering from PTSD and needs urgent help. Here Job fully realizes that he needs relief; Job’s problem is friends who believe that if he just prays the right prayer or repents from some imagined sin, everything will be fine.

There are no simple solutions to PTSD. Long-term counseling done by someone who has recovered from PTSD can be extremely helpful, for such people fully realize that healing is a long-term process with no simple solutions. Many times, PTSD sufferers struggle to erase horrific videos from their minds. Little wonder then, that drugs and alcohol become attractive as temporary escapes.

As we continue to study Job, please remember the mistakes Job’s friends are making. May God help us, so that we will truly comfort and not merely inflict our sentiments on those who suffer.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be guided by You when we are trying to help others. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

  Job 6: Job’s Second Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

“Then Job spoke again: “If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively. For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. Their poison infects my spirit. God’s terrors are lined up against me.”

Poor Job! Not only has he lost virtually everything, but Eliphaz has begun pontificating about Job’s alleged secret sins. Obviously, Eliphaz has never suffered very much himself; those who have suffered are far more compassionate.

“Don’t I have a right to complain? Don’t wild donkeys bray when they find no grass, and oxen bellow when they have no food? Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg? My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it!”

Job is suffering from two different kinds of nausea, nausea at his situation and physical nausea, likely due to the infections in his boils. Why shouldn’t Job complain? Any of these self-styled comforters would complain loudly if they were in his position.

“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire. I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me. At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One. But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for. Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze? No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success.”

One of the toughest parts of suffering is when a chronic condition sets in, forcing us to change our lives and our goals. We have a friend who suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition that causes her to “hurt all over more than anyplace else.” Despite the pain, our friend remains the bread winner in her family, working long hours from home. One of the biggest challenges with chronic diseases is that the sufferer may appear perfectly normal, causing others to assume that there’s really nothing wrong or that the person must simply be a complainer. Job might identify with our friend.

 “One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty. My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring when it is swollen with ice and melting snow. But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die. The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it. They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.”

Obviously, Job lives in a part of the Middle East where water is at a premium and caravans must search carefully, lest they get lost in the desert. In the same way, false friends are just as disappointing, promising comfort but giving nothing but pain.

“You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid. But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged for anything of yours for myself? Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people? Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong. Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation? You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend. Look at me! Would I lie to your face? Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?”

Ah, now we’re getting at the meat of the matter. Job’s friends continue to remain at a distance emotionally because they fear something similar might happen to them. Since these men aren’t sure why Job is suffering in the first place, they are afraid they too might suffer. Truly, Job is correct when he dismisses their criticism and their assumptions of his guilt.

One of the most difficult parts of suffering is the simple endurance of it. When we begin to suffer, we assume that there will be a swift end to our problems and that we will soon get relief. But what happens if we have a chronic condition that sets in early and plagues us for the rest of our lives?

Annie Johnson Flint lost her mother when she was an infant and subsequently was raised by family friends. Just as this young woman was about to begin a teaching career, she began developing signs of severe rheumatoid arthritis that would progress, crippling her for the rest of her life. But this courageous woman of faith forced her suffering to yield precious fruit in the form of poems and hymns that still continue to bless believers throughout the world. Here is one of her most famous poems that has become a beloved hymn.

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Chorus: His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Chorus

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
Chorus: His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remain calm when we are unfairly criticized and to remember that You are the One who gives us the grace to bear up under every trial. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

“Cry for help, but will anyone answer you? Which of the angels will help you? Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster. Their children are abandoned far from help; they are crushed in court with no one to defend them. The hungry devour their harvest, even when it is guarded by brambles. The thirsty pant after their wealth.”

OUCH! As if Eliphaz’s earlier accusations weren’t enough, now he’s accusing Job of being a fool, claiming that Job’s alleged foolishness will keep heaven from helping him. Eliphaz is also taking a swipe at Job’s handling of his children, as if Job’s neglect of his children is somehow responsible for the tornado that collapsed the house they were all in, killing them. And then Eliphaz implies that Job’s financial losses must stem from some secret foolishness, despite a total lack of evidence for such a claim. Then Eliphaz continues.

 
“But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth. People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.” Eliphaz, say what??? If you know that trouble is the common human lot, then WHY are you accusing Job of secret sins?

“If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields. He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer. He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed. He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted. They find it is dark in the daytime, and they grope at noon as if it were night. He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful. And so at last the poor have hope, and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut.”

Well pin a rose on you, Eliphaz! Having stringently criticized Job, implying that he has somehow either sinned grievously or has made foolish mistakes, now you want to hide under a cover of pious verbiage.

“But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal. From six disasters he will rescue you; even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil. He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war. You will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine; wild animals will not terrify you. You will be at peace with the stones of the field, and its wild animals will be at peace with you. You will know that your home is safe. When you survey your possessions, nothing will be missing. You will have many children; your descendants will be as plentiful as grass! You will go to the grave at a ripe old age, like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time! We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.”

The term “codswallop” is a British term meaning senseless talk or writing; nonsense; rubbish.” Here Eliphaz continues to criticize Job while attempting to disguise his disdain by invoking pious platitudes about God. Having attacked Job for having committed some secret sin, now Eliphaz tries to redeem himself by exalted pronouncements about those corrected by God. Problem is, it’s tough to know where Eliphaz thinks Job fits into this picture. Although there are individual statements that are true and quotable, overall, Eliphaz’s speech is nothing but a load of codswallop. Eliphaz criticizes Job and then tries to redeem himself by describing how God can heal. The problem is that Eliphaz has already implied that Job doesn’t deserve healing.

I am writing these Bible studies in the wake of the flooding disasters in Texas on July 4, 2025. At this point, the criticism of various groups and individuals has mounted nearly as high as did the record floods! Self-appointed critics have targeted camp owners, campers, emergency services, weather forecasters, and anybody else they can think of; meanwhile, thousands of people are left to grieve and pick up pieces and a few worn tokens of their loved ones. In an especially tragic turn of events, those owning trailers and recreational vehicles that were destroyed by the floods have been deemed to be visitors and therefore not eligible for government assistance. In some cases, entire families have been destroyed, leaving their relatives not only to grieve but also to take up payments on vehicles that now look as if they’ve been through a car crusher.

Despite the heroism that saved hundreds and perhaps thousands of people, these critics are certain that SOMEONE should be held responsible. These floods have constituted a tragedy, the scope of which nobody could possibly have predicted. Just as Job has done nothing to deserve his sufferings, so none of these families have done anything either.

When we closely examine Eliphaz’s pronouncements about God, we realize that he’s whistling in the dark, speaking hopefully but not realistically. The reality is that bad things happen to good people and that God does not necessarily restore everything someone has lost. Is God good? Yes! Absolutely! But our ideas of how God should restore things are not necessarily God’s. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Only in eternity will we understand the reasons behind the Texas flood disasters. But we do know that we are living in a fallen sinful world-the same world that Job inhabited-and therefore, disasters will happen. The same week that floods hit Texas, forest fires hit several parts of the West, destroying the Lodge at the Grand Canyon, as well as thousands of acres of forest. Floods also hit several parts of the Middle West as well as North Carolina. Although the Texas disasters have received the most publicity, people in these other areas are suffering as well.

How can we help in tragic situations? Find what you can do and begin doing it! Some kids have been running lemonade stands, raising thousand of dollars for flood relief. One lady has a ministry cleaning up the toys and stuffed animals recovered from the floods and then placing photos on Facebook so that families can claim treasured mementoes. Others have moved in trailers with showers and washing machines and driers for rescuers. Still others have begun providing clean new socks for those who have been trudging through mud and filthy snake-infested water up to their necks. Many groups are feeding volunteers and some groups are housing them. Even if you can’t do anything else, you can still pray, trusting that God will move people to do His work. What is NOT helpful is criticism and pious codswallop!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to help and comfort those caught in tragedies and not to become part of the problem. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Job 4 Eliphaz’s First Response to Job

“Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job: “Will you be patient and let me say a word? For who could keep from speaking out? In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees”

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. Once Job’s friends have spent seven days and nights sitting quietly with him on the ground, they figure they have earned the right to start giving advice. Too bad they didn’t simply tell Job they were sympathizing with him and return home! Eliphaz begins well by complimenting Job on the way Job has comforted others in the past. But unfortunately, Eliphaz can’t let well enough alone.

“But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you. Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope? Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed?”

Here Eliphaz graphically demonstrates his naivety. Even in Biblical times, innocent people might die in wars or natural disasters. The question of why bad things happen to good people is as old as humanity. But Eliphaz has led a charmed life and has never suffered himself, so he feels uniquely qualified to give advice.

“My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same. A breath from God destroys them. They vanish in a blast of his anger. The lion roars and the wildcat snarls, but the teeth of strong lions will be broken. The fierce lion will starve for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness will be scattered.” Eliphaz is speaking out of both supreme ignorance and arrogance. But Eliphaz is only getting started.

“This truth was given to me in secret, as though whispered in my ear. It came to me in a disturbing vision at night, when people are in a deep sleep. Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled. A spirit swept past my face, and my hair stood on end. The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape. There was a form before my eyes.” Notice where Eliphaz is getting his inspiration? Eliphaz is claiming he has gotten advice in a dream, but there are all kinds of spirits that might show up at night, and not all of them are from God. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:1-4 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” It’s tempting to jump to conclusions after a “spiritual” experience, but any of us might be tragically misled.

“In the silence I heard a voice say, ‘Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’ “If God does not trust his own angels and has charged his messengers with foolishness, how much less will he trust people made of clay! They are made of dust, crushed as easily as a moth. They are alive in the morning but dead by evening, gone forever without a trace. Their tent-cords are pulled and the tent collapses, and they die in ignorance.”

Poor Job! Not only has he lost most of his family and his possessions, not only has his wife proven to be no encouragement whatsoever, not only has he been afflicted with a horrible painful rash, but now comes the crowning suffering-his friends turn against him and begin accusing him of all kinds of imagined sins.

Okay, Eliphaz, you do have a point. No mortal can be innocent before God, so obviously, Job is not completely innocent, but neither are you. Why are you insisting on going on like this? You are speaking to a man who has lost everything through a series of undeserved disasters. Is this really the time to show off the depth of your presumed spirituality?

There are true comforters and then there are “Job’s comforters.” Through the centuries, the diatribes Job’s friends utter against him have become prime examples of how NOT to comfort someone.

Look at Eliphaz. As far as we know, Eliphaz has never had anything bad happen to him. Years ago, during a very trying time, I found myself fed up with people offering specious advice. Finally, I exploded to one of my friends that I didn’t want to hear from anyone who had not earned his/her PhD in suffering! I also described such people to my friend as living “shrink-wrapped” lives. Shrink wrap is the tight-fitting clear plastic that covers packages of fresh vegetables, protecting them from anything. It’s amazing but true that the less people have suffered, the more likely they are to offer useless harmful advice.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  

It’s critically important that when we are trying to comfort others, we don’t wind up inflicting more damage than our friends have already suffered. We need to listen to God and not to bizarre dreams such as the one described by Eliphaz. May God help us, so that we will comfort sensitively!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to comfort others as You would have us, and not to speak thoughtlessly. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.