How well do you know your friends?
Many people who read the story of Job no doubt have heard of his false friends. Eliphaz was one of Job’s friends and the first one to speak to Job about his situation. Many of us have fleeting friends, ones who flee when the entire weight of the circumstance is revealed. True friends have distinctive traits: they have a tendency to desire what is best for the other; they are honest even in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one’s counterpart, and there is mutual understanding and mutual compassion. Eliphaz was in a difficult situation. He was the first to speak to his friend whose world had collapsed and who was suffering considerable physical and mental pain. How would you approach such a person? Say you’re sorry, say; I’ll pray for you or try to identify with your friend. Eliphaz does the best he can and approaches Job in a friendly way (4:2). He thinks that Job is not truly guilty (4:7). He treads lightly with a gentle hint (5:8). He begins to reason with Job in a gentle and probing manner. He reminds Job when he was a pillar of strength and how he encouraged others when their world collapsed. He asks Job to apply the same advice to his own situation (4:2-6). Finally; Eliphaz gets to the point. He directs Job back to God and furthermore he predicts good things for Job’s future (5:8-9). Eliphaz lists the benefits of turning to God and repenting:
“He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” (5:19)
1. Protection (5:20)
2. Strengthening (5:21)
3. No Fear (5:22)
4. One with Nature (5:23)
5. You shall be in Peace (5:24)
6. Great Seed (5:25)
7. Long Life (5:26)
As Christians we can all relate to this. The next time your faced with a situation where a friend of yours is hurting from a physical or mental pain remember the way Eliphaz spoke to his friend, remember how he encouraged his friend. Help your friend to see that his circumstance is temporary. Help your friend to see that God has great things in store for their future if they faint not!!!
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We often wonder why God allows us to suffer. I believe that through our own suffering and the suffering of those we love and even the suffering of complete strangers we learn to be caring and compassionate. Suffering helps to keep our hearts tender.
We have many different kinds of friends but true friends care about you through thick and thin. True friendship is lasting. I think about my mom's childhood friend who we would see once or twice a year while I was growing up and how she reentered moms life after my dad died and ministered to her needs so faithfully. There are also people that you may not value their friendship (maybe it doesn't seem like there is much depth to the relationship) until something catastrophic happens but they are the ones who support you in your time of trouble. It is so wonderful how deeply God can bless us at some of the darkest hours of our lives.
I love the book of Job for the comfort that it provides in knowing that God is in control when the events of our lives spin out of control and when we suffer our deepest pain.
Great thought! I often wonder who my friends are going to be when I am down; but then I also have to also consider what type of friend that I have been to others when they are at a low pint in life. Thanks, Gary for the post; and thanks Kathy for your thoughts as well.
Good thought "G" !!!