Let Your Words Be Few
EPISODE FOUR OF FIVE
Job is the poster child for those who suffer. From what we know, Job’s life was picture perfect; he had wealth, influence, respect, health, and a wonderful family. And then it was gone. In the space of a few hours, his life was upended, his fortune lost, and his children dead. Shortly afterward, his health was attacked, and he sat in an ash heap covered with boils.
Three friends heard of Job’s plight and made a visit. They arrived to a horrific sight; Job was sitting alone, crushed by grief, and scrapping his festering skin with a broken pot. Staggered by his appearance and circumstances, his visitors sat for a week in silence.
After pondering Job’s plight and assessing what may have caused his dramatic run of misfortune, they offered their insights. The friends assumed that Job had a hidden sin and because of that transgression, God was punishing him. Their rationale followed a simple syllogism: God punishes sinful people. Job is being punished. Therefore, Job is sinful.
One of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, made his case, “Who, being innocent has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil, and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:7-8)
Bildad, the second friend, followed similar logic when he said, “Surely God will not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers.” (Job 8:20)
The third visitor, Zophar, shared his perspective, “if you put away the sin that is in your hand, and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.” (Job 11:14-15)
The assumption of each was that Job had a secret sin and that God was making his life miserable because of it. They reasoned that Job needed to confess his sin and get right with God. The only problem with these three friends’ remarks was that they had no idea what they were talking about. God was at work doing things way beyond their awareness.
During times of pain and trauma, friends may come with a word from the Lord—maybe, maybe not. Well-meaning people can make outrageous and unfounded claims. For us it was often, “God is going to heal your little girl.”
Too often we assume we know God’s plans and share our perspective with confidence. Like Job’s friends, we want answers and we jump to the first one that seems hopeful. Our limited knowledge of circumstances should always give way to our deeper awareness of who God is as proclaimed in scripture.
God loves us.
God is all powerful.
God is sovereign.
God is wise.
God is holy.
God wants us to grow.
God wants us to trust him.
And on and on.
God was not happy with Job’s friends, but neither was He done with them. He confronted their foolish and inaccurate statements, then offered a path to forgiveness. They were to make sacrifices and ask Job to pray for them.
“You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Nammathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.” (Job 42:8-9)
The friends’ greatest comfort came from their presence, not their pronouncements. They provided the most good with their company and the least with their comments. When reaching out to a hurting friend, it is wise to remember the words of Ecclesiastes 5:2. “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty on your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
Reach out. Be there for friends in times of trouble. But be cautious and careful not to err like Job’s friends and presume that you speak for God.
