Friday 22nd August Job 4.1-21

Qn. 1, 3

“If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking? (2): Are these friends really going to speak words of comfort? (Is. 50.4). God wants us to speak out words that restore hope to the people we may be addressing (Col. 3.16-17). Eliphaz could have used basic theology, which together with some points of view from some advisers proved to be bad, as they seemed to believe that: The righteous always make progress, while sinners always suffer, thus concluding that poverty and suffering are indicators of sin, and progress and victory are indicators of righteousness (Is. 65.13). “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished?…(7): Words said hurriedly do not help a hurting person (Prov. 15.23). We oftentimes meet traps on the way, but anyone who never travels cannot come across any. The righteous experience trials the most.  Even if you may know the reason for a given problem, there is time to talk and time to be quiet (Eccl. 3.7). Advice: During the time of afflictions, talk about the good things that may be there (3-4).