Job 2 Job’s Second Test
“One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.
Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”
Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
“All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.
Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.”
Ever have shingles? Shingles is a viral rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Those suffering from shingles will tell you that the pain is itching, stinging, burning, and among the worst pains they have ever experienced. Sometimes shingles rashes can produce large blisters, inciting the sufferers to dig at themselves as they try to gain any kind of relief possible. While we don’t know if Job is suffering from shingles, this description certainly fits. Now Job is applying ashes and scraping at his sores with a broken piece of pottery, probably bleeding from the sores and mixing blood with ashes.
Sadly, Job’s wife is not a woman of faith. Mrs. Job likely married her husband when he was a prominent businessman. Now this lady’s children are dead, the family has lost most of its wealth as well as most of its servants, and her husband is suffering from a loathsome disease. As far as Madam Job is concerned, she would be happy if her husband would just go ahead and die; at least she would get sympathy as a widow and she might be able to re-marry. But Job continues to trust God and tells his wife, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.”
Job’s Three Friends Share His Anguish
“When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.”
If you’ve ever read the Book of Job before, you might have found yourself thoroughly irritated with Job’s friends and the arrogant nature of the advice they give him later; however, look at their initial response. These three men tear their clothing, ruining it, and throw dust into the air over their heads. Next these men sit on the ground with Job seven days and nights without saying anything.
Compare the response of Job’s three friends to the responses we generally give to someone else’s grief. First, none of us are about to tear any of our clothing, let alone throw dust on our heads. We might send text messages or emails or show up at the house of the grieving family with food. These men sit for a full week on the ground without saying anything. What an amazing response! By spending this time quietly sitting with Job, these men are witnesses that they feel his pain and are grieving with him. It’s likely that 99.99% of us when given the opportunity will furnish all kinds of unwanted and/or unnecessary advice, much of it starting with foolish statements such as “I know how you feel.” Rubbish! Grief is an individual matter and none of us knows precisely how someone else feels.
Although none of these men is Jewish as far as we know, the ritual of Shiva that Job and his friends are going through is one commonly practiced by Jews since Bible times. Here is what Wikipedia says about Shiva. “Shiva is the week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives. The ritual is referred to as “sitting shiva” in English. The shiva period lasts for seven days following the burial. Following the initial period of despair and lamentation immediately after the death, shiva embraces a time when individuals discuss their loss and accept the comfort of others.[1]
Its observance is a requirement for the parents, siblings, spouses, and children of the person who has died. At the funeral, mourners wear an outer garment that is torn before the procession in a ritual known as keriah. In some traditions, mourners wear a black ribbon that is cut in place of an everyday garment.[2][3] The torn article is worn throughout the entirety of shiva. Typically, the seven days begin immediately after the deceased has been buried. Following burial, mourners[4] assume the halakhic status of avel (Hebrew: אבל, ‘mourner’). This state lasts for the entire duration of shiva.
It is necessary for the burial spot to be entirely covered with earth in order for shiva to commence. During the period of shiva, mourners remain at home. Friends and family visit those in mourning in order to give their condolences and provide comfort. The process, dating back to biblical times, formalizes the natural way an individual confronts and overcomes grief. Shiva allows for the individual to express their sorrow, discuss the loss of a loved one, and slowly reenter society.[“
Job’s friends make a good beginning by just being with him in his anguish and not offering quick solutions. Too bad they don’t continue in this vein. As we go through the Book of Job, let’s remember that these men are friends and also remember that we too can wound people in the name of friendship.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be sensitive to the griefs of others and to encourage rather than discourage them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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