Job 2:11-13
Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering was very intense.
Job 2:13
Required Reading
Devotional
Today I want to take a break from the evidence for our faith and just reflect on the humanness and empathy of this moment. We're going to have plenty of time over the next few weeks to witness these friends struggle to support Job, but initially, they handled it perfectly.
Let's read again what they did. Emphasis mine.
I love it. This is what friendship looks like. There are three things I think we can learn from these friends.
First, there is power in community. Look at these words from Solomon:
One of the best thing about what these friends did is that they did not leave Job on his own. They came along side and supported him and they did it together. The impact of having Job's community show up for him should not be missed. Despite the fact that once they begin to speak, they don't always say the right thing, they still were there and present with him.
Secondly, there is power in empathy. It reminds me of these words from Paul:
It makes me consider how many times we believe the best thing we can do for someone who is sad is to try and make them "feel better." Yet, scripture teaches us that perhaps the best thing we can do for those who feel sad is to feel sad with them. Job's friends show us what that looks like by not just weeping with him, but outwardly demonstrating their suffering through the tearing of their clothes and the dust on their heads. We, too, should mourn and weep with those closest to us.
Finally, I appreciate that they understood there is power of silence. We've all heard it said before, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Solomon put it this way,
Sometimes, silence is all that is needed. Having the right words to say to someone who has figuratively or literally lost everything is impossible. There isn't a scripture that will make it better. There isn't a quote that will bring Job's family back. There isn't a wise proverb that will bring him hope. Instead, it's just the presence of friends that reminds him that he is not alone that will bring comfort to him. And I think we too can learn the power of being present with others in silence.
Today, take time to reflect on the actions of Job's friends and what you can learn from them. Ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
Let's read again what they did. Emphasis mine.
Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had happened to him, each of them came from his home. They met together to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they looked from a distance, they could barely recognize him. They wept aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust into the air and on his head. Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering was very intense. -Job 2:11-13
I love it. This is what friendship looks like. There are three things I think we can learn from these friends.
First, there is power in community. Look at these words from Solomon:
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
One of the best thing about what these friends did is that they did not leave Job on his own. They came along side and supported him and they did it together. The impact of having Job's community show up for him should not be missed. Despite the fact that once they begin to speak, they don't always say the right thing, they still were there and present with him.
Secondly, there is power in empathy. It reminds me of these words from Paul:
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15
It makes me consider how many times we believe the best thing we can do for someone who is sad is to try and make them "feel better." Yet, scripture teaches us that perhaps the best thing we can do for those who feel sad is to feel sad with them. Job's friends show us what that looks like by not just weeping with him, but outwardly demonstrating their suffering through the tearing of their clothes and the dust on their heads. We, too, should mourn and weep with those closest to us.
Finally, I appreciate that they understood there is power of silence. We've all heard it said before, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Solomon put it this way,
Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—discerning, when he seals his lips. -Proverbs 17:28
Sometimes, silence is all that is needed. Having the right words to say to someone who has figuratively or literally lost everything is impossible. There isn't a scripture that will make it better. There isn't a quote that will bring Job's family back. There isn't a wise proverb that will bring him hope. Instead, it's just the presence of friends that reminds him that he is not alone that will bring comfort to him. And I think we too can learn the power of being present with others in silence.
Today, take time to reflect on the actions of Job's friends and what you can learn from them. Ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
Reflection Questions
- When a friend is in need, how do you normally respond?
- Do you find it easy to rejoice and weep with others? Why or why not?
- Consider a time when you experienced great suffering. What helped you in that moment?
- What do you learn from the response of Job's friends that you could use the next time a friend of yours is in need of comfort?
Go Deeper
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Recommended Videos (Job 1-3)
VIBEZ Daily Podcast
The Bible Project
The Book of Job
Eyewitness Bible
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