Job 15-18
“My friends scoff at me as I weep before God.“
Job 16:20
Required Reading
Devotional
At one point in our lives, each of us may have been seeking a good friend. You may have sought friendship from a sibling, classmate, coworker, or spouse. Many of us have sought kindness and loyalty from others. We have hoped that someone would add positivity to our lives.
I’m sure Job sought friendship at one point too. Yet, when disaster strikes, he wasn’t met with the kind words he anticipated. We see Job’s friends take this opportunity to argue with him about his integrity and righteousness. They have asserted a need to shut him down or “silence him” as they continue to refute his rebuttals. That’s not what Job needed. Job needed and wanted a friend who would question God with him:
Taking a peek into tomorrow’s reading we see Job grieve his relationships:
In this, we see how Job feels about how he has been treated. Sometimes it’s hard to truly empathize with someone unless you have experienced what they have. That is why our focus today will be on how Job would have hoped his friends treated him. Let’s look at the perspective of the suffering person:
Instead of arguing, Job states that he would bring comfort. What Job needed was friends who would comfort him. Friends who would sit and listen even if they didn’t quite understand or agree. Yes, they could have given him their thoughts, but maybe only once. Their words could have been seasoned with grace. Their hearts could have been filled with compassion. They were better off sitting in silence as they previously did.
Although we often seek good friendship from others, I want us to reflect on how good of a friend we are to others. It is impossible for us to experience everything. We will never be able to personally empathize with others in every experience. Yet, we can be kind, not rude, not irritable, loyal, compassionate, and caring. Job says that the words from his lips would “bring relief” to a suffering friend. His words would be full of encouragement.
Let’s practice this. We’ve been reading Job’s story. You have seen much of what is going on in his life. How could you encourage him? What would you have said?
It’s easy to say what type of friend we want. It’s easy to nit-pick at the things we feel our friends aren’t doing. We could all use practice being the type of friend we would want for ourselves. Let’s continue to focus on our own actions in an attempt to be the friend that other people need.
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank you for being my friend. When I open my heart, You fill in my gaps. Thank you for being there for me when other people have failed me. I don’t want to take my friendship for granted. Please surround me with good friends here on earth. Once you bring those people to me, help me to be a good friend to them. I pray for unity and love.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
I’m sure Job sought friendship at one point too. Yet, when disaster strikes, he wasn’t met with the kind words he anticipated. We see Job’s friends take this opportunity to argue with him about his integrity and righteousness. They have asserted a need to shut him down or “silence him” as they continue to refute his rebuttals. That’s not what Job needed. Job needed and wanted a friend who would question God with him:
“I wish that someone might argue for a man with God just as anyone would for a friend.”
Job 16:21 CSB
Taking a peek into tomorrow’s reading we see Job grieve his relationships:
“He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. My relatives stop coming by, and my close friends have forgotten me. My house guests and female servants regard me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, even if I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife, and my own family finds me repulsive. Even young boys scorn me. When I stand up, they mock me. All of my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me.”
Job 19:13-19 CSB
In this, we see how Job feels about how he has been treated. Sometimes it’s hard to truly empathize with someone unless you have experienced what they have. That is why our focus today will be on how Job would have hoped his friends treated him. Let’s look at the perspective of the suffering person:
“I have heard many things like these. You are all miserable comforters. Is there no end to your empty words? What provokes you that you continue testifying? If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you. Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.”
Job 16:2-5 CSB
Instead of arguing, Job states that he would bring comfort. What Job needed was friends who would comfort him. Friends who would sit and listen even if they didn’t quite understand or agree. Yes, they could have given him their thoughts, but maybe only once. Their words could have been seasoned with grace. Their hearts could have been filled with compassion. They were better off sitting in silence as they previously did.
Although we often seek good friendship from others, I want us to reflect on how good of a friend we are to others. It is impossible for us to experience everything. We will never be able to personally empathize with others in every experience. Yet, we can be kind, not rude, not irritable, loyal, compassionate, and caring. Job says that the words from his lips would “bring relief” to a suffering friend. His words would be full of encouragement.
Let’s practice this. We’ve been reading Job’s story. You have seen much of what is going on in his life. How could you encourage him? What would you have said?
It’s easy to say what type of friend we want. It’s easy to nit-pick at the things we feel our friends aren’t doing. We could all use practice being the type of friend we would want for ourselves. Let’s continue to focus on our own actions in an attempt to be the friend that other people need.
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank you for being my friend. When I open my heart, You fill in my gaps. Thank you for being there for me when other people have failed me. I don’t want to take my friendship for granted. Please surround me with good friends here on earth. Once you bring those people to me, help me to be a good friend to them. I pray for unity and love.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Reflection Questions
- Can you recall a time when a friend needed you, but you did not want to show up for them?
- Do you naturally empathize well with others? Are you a good listener?
- When someone is sharing their story with you, are your responses mostly solution driven or about yourself?
- Are you surrounded by friends who comfort or tear down?
Go Deeper
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Recommended Videos (Job)
The Bible Project
The Book of Job
Eyewitness Bible
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