Sunday, September 8, 2013

September 9 Job 4-7 Job Sick Because of Sin?

We, the readers, know that Job is not sick because of sin in his life. In fact, God's assessment of Job to Satan is quite the opposite - a man who fears God and shuns evil. Job is sick because God has allowed Satan to strike Job with sickness. Satan is confident that when Job's health is taken away, Job will curse God to His face. We know all this, but Job and his friends do not. We have a "look behind the curtain" that Job and his friends are unaware.

Eliphaz has listened to Job and now feels compelled to give him some advice. Eliphaz is insinuating that Job is guilty of some sin(s). Why else would he be so sick? Eliphaz is contending that bad comes to those who are evil; good to those who are righteous.Today is a beginning of a long debate over whether or not that is true between Job and his friends.

Job is lamenting his pain and suffering - if only God would relent and take him.

It was probably comforting to Job to have his friends visit him and just sit by his side. Their mere presence probably gave him some level of peace. Then they decided to speak - and now suggest that he has some sin he is not taking responsibility for. Now, they bring him more emotional pain to go along with his physical pain. When visiting the sick, we do them a great favor by just holding their hand. Saying the right thing is hard.

No comments:

Post a Comment