Job 5-8

May 31

Job 5-8

I think they meant well. They showed up and sat with Job when it seemed like everything was against Job. Three friends came and sat on the ground with Job for seven days. Their hearts really hurt for him. Finally after three days Job spoke. He lamented his life. Why was he born? Why would God allow him to suffer so much? Job longed for death and the relief death would bring.

Eliphaz seemed to think that God was correcting Job. He reminded Job of his own teaching and that trouble was a normal part of life. He told Job that when God corrects us, it hurts for a season, but then God will also bring healing. Though Job was suffering he continued to worship God. He refused to deny God’s word. But he wanted his friends to support him no matter what happened. He did not want their advice; he wanted their love and support regardless of where he was or what was going on in his life. The writer of Proverbs wrote; "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, NIV)

We all need true friends. We tend to live in an independent, I can do it myself world, but we cannot do it ourselves. We need friends especially when we are in the midst of the tough times. We don’t necessarily need their advice, but we need their support. We need them to love us even if we are wrong. That does not mean they do not point us in the right direction, but timing is the key.

Just as we all need friends, we also need to be friends. Sometimes we need to just be there for others. We do not have to speak. We do not have to give advice. We just need to be there and sit with them and let them air their feelings without our judgment of advice.