Job 15 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Job has been defending himself the entire book. But as Eliphaz the Temanite begins in 15:1, Job has been speaking from chapter 12 to 14. Eliphaz is none too flattering. Eliphaz seems to imply or suggest that Job’s words are mere flatulence or gas. At least that is what he could be suggesting. Job’s words are utterly worthless Eliphaz contends . Eliphaz does not stop. He accuses Job of speaking in such a way as to turn people away from God. That is like saying, “If someone does ________, it makes you wonder if they are even a Christian.”
The reasoning of Job’s friends, as we have labored to point out, is not all wrong. But notice in v. 7, their reasoning is based on observation. They observe people, they listen to their elders, and they speak from experience. Who can say that is wrong? While it is not wrong it is inadequate. And that is the conundrum of wisdom literature. Wisdom literature takes wisdom to understand and apply correctly. Job and his friends need revelation. Remember, they could not read the first two chapters of Job like we do. We understand because the events of heaven were revealed to us.
They are also trying to make sense of tragedy. All of us do this. We can’t help it. We were made to make sense of the world around us. We write books, sing songs, protest, worship, pray, comfort, etc. all to make sense of what sometimes seems senseless. We encourage people to seek for answers. We want non-believers to think more and to think better. Christianity is rational. But there is a catch. As we strive to understand, there is another avenue we can’t forget.
Sometimes, it is okay to say, “I don’t know.” When a baby dies, when a young mother leaves children behind, when a good person is murdered the grieving parent, couple, or child just needs another human being. As much as we love theology, the inerrant Word of God, and the truth of the gospel, we don’t always need to talk (says the extrovert). We don’t always need to provide answers or tie knotty problems up in a bow.
I am not a great example of this but I am learning. When I visit a person in the hospital, dying of cancer or going to a funeral home I pray and ask God to prepare me. I don’t know who will be there, what the person will be like, or what they want from me. I ask God to help me to shut up long enough to be of help. This does not come natural for some of us. Of course, some of us are better at being quiet than others.
If only Job’s comforters could have just listened and tried not to correct (Oh, that can be so hard) Job’s theology. Job didn’t need answers; he needed friends. He needed theology but not right at that moment. God would correct Job as well as provide Biblical theology at the end of this book. Serving people means preaching, teaching, correcting, exhorting, but it also means listening, assessing how people are responding to you, listening for clues, so you can provide help later.
If these counselors could have said to each other, “Let’s stop trying to correct Job. Our approach clearly is not working or helping Job. Let’s listen, pray silently and see what God might do.” Well, that didn’t happen but maybe it could for you or me. We can learn to listen to hurting people. We can learn to give people in pain a wide berth. This does not exclude teaching, reading Scripture, etc. But while there is a time to correct and rebuke, that implies there is a time not to.
Reading this book should remind us that listening is a valuable tool to help others. Being by someone, being in their presence is a gift to them. Part of the gift is the drive to their home, the hospital, or the funeral home, the time invested, and the reminder that God cares for them. We are the body of Christ so we are His hands and His feet. To comfort, to listen, to wisely read Scripture and pray is a discipline.
Dear Father, You are the best Comforter. We can sometimes be lousy at helping others. We speak when we should be quiet and we are quiet when it is time to speak. We want to help those in pain but we are not comfortable with others in turmoil. Help us to relax and to accept that we will never know, this side of heaven, why some things take place. If we are comfortable in our ignorance of Your ways, that might help us to minister to others asking difficult questions like, “Why me?” This ministry requires a deep settled conviction of Your character and ways. We need Your Spirit to wisely point others to Your Son. We want every grieving, hurting person to love the Lord Jesus. Help us when others are overcome with loss to be Your Hands and feet. . . and Your ears. In the Strong name of Jesus, Amen.