It is easy to keep suffering an abstract theological subject far removed from the heart, from emotion. We should probably fight against this especially if we're trying to "help" someone who's grieving a loss in his or her life.
Sometimes what we don't know and what we can't possibly understand can fill a book (literally).
It is good and right to go to a grieving friend and stand beside them--or sit beside them--in support. We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those that weep. Do any of us take Romans 12:15 seriously?
Knowing what is coming ahead in the rest of the book, the fact that Job's three friends stayed with him seven days and seven nights in silence is worth noting.
A string of half-truths--no matter how long the string--does not make for the whole truth.
The tongue can get us into trouble--BIG, BIG TROUBLE--because we are both quick to speak and quick to anger. We are very poor listeners. (See James 1:19)
Sometimes we are so in love with hearing ourselves talk that we want to ALWAYS win and turn everything into an argument that can be won or lost. This was no time for a boast battle.
There is a right time and place for theological discussions--but not every time and place is right. His friends were no longer a comfort, a support. Instead of uplifting or sustaining him, they were draining him emotionally and spiritually. He was now worse off for them being there.
His friends, who were so wise in their own eyes, were off in their theology and their conclusions about everything were a bit warped. Instead of being humble and open to correction, they were proud and confident that they knew all there was to know. They weren't at a loss for what to say. They were confident that they had all the answers.
Job spoke honestly and humbly. He did NOT have the answers. He was holding onto what he knew to be true of God. God is GOOD. God is JUST. He trusted in God's character to be steadfast even though nothing in his life was. He saw how much he did not know, how much he did not understand, and he was awed by the mysteries of God.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
No comments:
Post a Comment