Bible Study Blog for Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25
Here’s Job – in the darkest moment of his life. He’s already poured his heart out to God – and then his buddy ELIPHAZ chimes in:
“If it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.”
What a jerk.
Job’s life had just been demolished – all 10 children killed, all his wealth stolen, his health wrecked – and here’s his “friend” Eliphaz – telling him how HE’D handle it. Makes you want to give Eliphaz the old Johnny Carson quip, “May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits!”
I’ve seen people pull an “Eliphaz” with cancer patients. They mean well –but when a friend most needs their SUPPORT, there they are – doling out hypothetical advice.
Compare Eliphaz’s response with Jesus after the death of Lazarus.
Jesus knew that moments later his grieving friends’ tears would be irrelevant. He knew he was going to raise Lazarus. So how does he respond to their sorrow? Words? Advice? Nope. He CRIES. “Jesus wept.”
SO – next time I’m summoned to the side of a HURTING friend – how do I start the conversation? Answer: I don’t. I listen. I share their hurt. There’ll be plenty of time for advice. But as the saying goes: “People don’t care how much you know – until they know how much you care.”
See you Tomorrow!
Tags: Acts, Bayside Church Woodland, Bayside Woodland, Bible Study, Job
I would not condemn Job’s friends too fast. For in Job 1:11-13 we see that they mourned with him, they wept at his physical appearance seven days. They waited silently until Job spoke to them first. They didn’t even attempt to help him in any way! That is amazing. They could see that they were powerless to help as well?
Ultimately there are nine exchanges between Job and his three friends. The numerology here is significant. 3×3 equaling 9.
The number nine being the number of finality. So here their advice gives us the understanding that the totality of all mans efforts brings judgement upon himself.
The friends were descendants of Esau. Interesting.
And is seems clear from the text that Job’s friends feared God. Verse 5:8 confirms this.
Eliphaz argues from the stand point of human experience.
Bildad argues from human tradition.
Zophar argues from human merit.
Normally the number three is representative of the Triune God. Here however, we see the perfection, if you will, of perfect human wisdom. We see the length, width and height of human understanding. Jesus said I Am the way, the truth, the life. Three also points us to God’s three attributes: omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence.
Fortunately, when we find ourselves in the position of Job’s friends or Job, we have Ephesians 6:10-18. Also the whole of Philippians.
Do you want fries with that?
Kell