When we are sitting in the ashes of defeat, mournful despair, with overwhelming depression from our wondering thoughts; is it helpful for our dear friends to rush over with casseroles, observe to clarify our obvious state of mind, with pulling out corrective Bible lessons that may or may not fit?  As we walk through Job on our journey with God’s Holy Spirit, we might learn different approaches that might conquer our knee-jerk reactions to sufferings.  We might learn that it isn’t always helpful to cast a limited human viewpoint on any given circumstance or current situation of another with a quick, judgmental explanation for what is going on. 

“Call if you will, but who will answer you?” is a rhetorical question of indictment from Job’s good friend, Eliphaz. His friend is essentially branding Job a fool because of all that has happened to him. In his view, Job must be a fool, there’s no other explanation in his mind. Job must have then done foolish things to arrive at his current situation. 

Eliphaz’s second argument was based on his own personal observations of life. He had seen sinners prosper and take root, only to be destroyed and lose everything, thinking Job’s situation fit the folly of other fools! This not-so-subtle description of Job’s situation must have pierced his heart to hear that his sin brought the death of his children.  

But contrast this with Psalm 73, where Asaph takes a wholly different view.

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

² But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
³ For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
⁵ They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
⁷ From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.
⁸ They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
⁹ Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
¹⁰ Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
¹¹ They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”

¹² This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” Psalm 73:1-12

Asaph concludes that God allows the wicked to prosper in this life because that is the only “heaven” they will know. (Read the entire Psalm).  God will adjust things in the next life and see to it that His people are rewarded and that the wicked are punished.

So, the problem with arguing from observation is that our observations are severely limited.

Job 5

“Call if you will, but who will answer you?
    To which of the holy ones will you turn?
² Resentment kills a fool,
    and envy slays the simple.
³ I myself have seen a fool taking root,
    but suddenly his house was cursed.
⁴ His children are far from safety,
    crushed in court without a defender.
⁵ The hungry consume his harvest,
    taking it even from among thorns,
    and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
⁶ For hardship does not spring from the soil,
    nor does trouble sprout from the ground.
⁷ Yet man is born to trouble
    as surely as sparks fly upward.

⁸ “But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
    I would lay my cause before him.
⁹ He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.
¹⁰ He provides rain for the earth;
    he sends water on the countryside.
¹¹ The lowly he sets on high,
    and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
¹² He thwarts the plans of the crafty,
    so that their hands achieve no success.
¹³ He catches the wise in their craftiness,
    and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
¹⁴ Darkness comes upon them in the daytime;
    at noon they grope as in the night.
¹⁵ He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth;
    he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.
¹⁶ So the poor have hope,
    and injustice shuts its mouth.

¹⁷ “Blessed is the one whom God corrects;
    so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
¹⁸ For he wounds, but he also binds up;
    he injures, but his hands also heal.
¹⁹ From six calamities he will rescue you;
    in seven no harm will touch you.
²⁰ In famine he will deliver you from death,
    and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
²¹ You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,
    and need not fear when destruction comes.
²² You will laugh at destruction and famine,
    and need not fear the wild animals.
²³ For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field,
    and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
²⁴ You will know that your tent is secure;
    you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.
²⁵ You will know that your children will be many,
    and your descendants like the grass of the earth.
²⁶ You will come to the grave in full vigor,
    like sheaves gathered in season.

²⁷ “We have examined this, and it is true.
    So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Be a better you” is the heart cry of our world with each beginning of a new year.  “You can be better and do better!” These human phrases are followed with promoting a new diet, a better gym, with all kinds of ways to improve the outside without much thought to the inside.  These words, however, have never set well with me in my Spirit. Yes, I desire to be healthy.  But being a better me by my own good efforts are fruitless for no one is good, better, or best—only God. The best goal is come closer to Jesus, to be more like Him, along with surrender to self!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”—Jesus, John 13:34-35

Our goal and mission on this earth is to be more like Jesus, praying to have the mind of Christ in all we think, say, and do! Our job, given by Jesus who saved us, is to point the way to our Perfect Savior and teach others to be like Him; not our imperfect selves.  We can only do that in an intentional relationship with Jesus, in surrender to our Perfect Example. Jesus promised that we will be filled by His Holy Spirit who guides us to all truth through His Word with lessons of how Jesus related to all people with God’s love—a love like no other human love on earth!   We have help!  Real Help!

Eliphaz’s conclusion led to his appeal to Job to seek God and commit himself to Him. His point was that the God who does wonders and cares for His creation would surely help Job if he were to humble himself and confess his sins. Job should see his trials as discipline from God to make him a better man, a theme that would later be taken up by Elihu.  Mm…

Warren Wiersbe writes;  “Eliphaz’s argument is, in reality, Satan’s philosophy in different words! Satan had said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him… Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life” (1:9, 10; 2:4). Eliphaz was saying, in effect, “Confess your sins and God will restore all that you have lost.” If Job had given up his integrity and “confessed” just to appease Eliphaz’s theology, he would have disgraced Jehovah and vindicated Satan; and Job was not about to do it.” –Wiersbe Study Bible

Can we agree that the book of Job is stirring our hearts and moving us from our own comfort zones of thought.  We must separate what the world says from what God says. This happens more efficiently when we daily immerse ourselves in His Word asking the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

Lord,

Thank you for listening to our cries for wisdom, insight and understanding in all kinds of circumstances and situations.  We need you every hour of every day.  Help me to love like you love us—without conditions. Help me to be more like you with each step I take.

In Jesus Name, Amen