Job 17:1, "My spirit is broken . . . and does not my eye dwell on their provocation?" The events that happened to Job were no doubt unprecedented. He was devastated by the loss of all his children and all that he possessed. Then his body was ravaged with sickness and pain. He was emotionally and mentally distraught and His spirit was no doubt at its lowest. Job was in misery and severely suffering. His "friends" who came to "comfort" him only added to his pain by proceeding to "analyze" his situation. Their judgmental attitudes and accusations were the straws that broke Job's spirit. We have difficulty not dwelling on accusations, especially when they are false. We feel hurt when we are misunderstood. It is painful and evokes mental and emotional turmoil that is difficult to let go.
Verse 8, "Upright men are astonished at this". It's scary to see someone suffer the ravages of disease or severe tragedy in their lives.when they seemingly have "done everything right" and have "lived a clean life".
I have found myself taking comfort in being able to identify the source of someone's trial--especially when it is something I myself do not indulge in. "Oh, she did drugs", or "he was a smoker", "she was overweight", "he never exercised", "she always drove too fast". Trying to figure out why something bad happened to someone is perhaps a way of denying that I, too can be subject to similar circumstances.
Job's friends thought they had it all figured out. But, were they just protecting themselves--convincing themselves that they were safe from such a trial as Job was going through? Surely we would hope our friends would comfort us in a time of trial rather than analyze us and accuse us! Yet, could it be possible that our friends might be more concerned about justifying themselves than they are about encouraging us?
Psalm 95:1-5, is refreshing at this point in our reading! What a change of pace to "sing to the Lord" and "shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation", to "come before His Presence with thanksgiving"! (We can always find a place of peace and rest when we allow ourselves to be pulled away from the troubles and trials of a fallen world and into the Presence of the Lord!) Jesus' words ring in our ears at this point--"In the world you shall have tribulation". But Jesus goes on to say, "but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33)! This is the truth and it is up to us to what extent we base our lives on it. Nevertheless, we all face times when we must "endure", just as Job did.
In Proverbs 23:1-4, Solomon reminded his son to evaluate this particular situation before giving in to his appetites. He tells him not to be deceived. Is Solomon telling him to be aware that he may be cutting his own throat if he falls for things that look appetizing on the surface and yet have unseen consequences? Romans 12:1-21, contains verses that would have been suitable for instructing Job's friends in how to treat him. "Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love" (v. 10). "In honor giving preference to one another". Their words had the potential for bringing comfort and encouragement to Job. They could have patiently wept with him from sincere hearts filled with love and concern. Yet, they chose the way of being "wise in (their) own opinion" and "set their minds on high things" (v. 16).
Whether eating with a prominent person, or visiting with a sick friend--we would do well to "consider carefully what is before (us)" (Proverbs 23:1). When we think we are right, we tend to let our guard down, climb on our "high horses", and look down on others. In our pride, we will surely be "overcome by evil" (Romans 12:21). Only with humility, are we able to experience the boils on Job's feet as if they were our own. And only when we are clothed with humility (I Peter 5:5), can we overcome evil with good by replacing judgmental thoughts with love and compassion for our others.
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