Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

8 January 2024

Reading from Job 17-20

“When will you end these speeches?

    Be sensible, and then we can talk.”[1] –Bildad

“How long will you torment me

    and crush me with words?

Ten times now you have reproached me;

    shamelessly you attack me.

If it is true that I have gone astray,

    my error remains my concern alone.”[2] –Job

     Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are immovable in their theory that Job has done something to deserve all the life-shattering events of late.  From their perspective, Job should just come clean.  Admit his fault, repent and then all will be well.  While their arguments have merit (for instance, that people do reap what they sow[3]), and there are times when each of us needs correction, but this is not the case with this moment in Job’s life.  He had done nothing to bring these horrific tragedies on himself, but Job too is mistaken in his own belief that God is the one tormenting him.  We know from our insider view of the heavenly courts in chapters 1-2 that it was Satan, the accuser and deceiver who seeks to steal, kill and destroy,[4] who is attacking Job and his family and their business. 

     The friends of Job went from showing real compassion to their companion to setting themselves up as his merciless judges and sadistic therapists.  This is not how the family of God should operate.  “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”[5]  If Job had been unfaithful to God, his friends’ method of berating and condemning him again and again was not the way to bring him back to the light. 

     It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance and therefore those who claim to follow God should use His methods when attempting to help others find their way.[6] Timothy received this direction from the Apostle Paul, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”[7]  I need to pick my battles wisely and If I don’t intend to say something gently edifying[8], perhaps I should mind my own business and pray that God changes my own heart.[9]  I’m not sure where this acronym originated, but before I speak, I ought to THINK.  I first saw this on a poster in the receiving room of a grocery store in coastal North Carolina:

T: Is it True?

H: Is it Helpful?

I: Is it Inspiring?

N: Is it Necessary?

K: Is it Kind?

“Lord, I ask for You to give me encouraging words to speak and inspire me to be kind to those who need correction.  Help me to listen without jumping to conclusions and THINK before I speak.  Grant me the wisdom I need to know when to be gentle, when to be firm, and when to just be.”

A gentle answer turns away wrath,

    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

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[1] Job 18:2

[2] Job 19:2-4

[3] Galatians 6:7-8

[4] John 10:10

[5] Galatians 6:1

[6] Romans 2:4, Ephesians 4:29

[7] II Timothy 2:22-26

[8] Philippians 4:5

[9] I Thessalonians 4:11-12