With friends like these, it sets me to ponder. (Job 11:13-20)

Zophar, one of Job’s friends, spoke into his life and recommended Job to repent (v13-14). Like the previous 2 friends who commented, they pinpointed Job’s situation to his wickedness and sin. They recommended him to repent and be restored. And in Zophar’s worldview (v15-19), Job will forget his misery, his life will be brighter, he will have confidence because of hope, he will be protected, and people will entreat his favor again. His verdict of Job: “Don’t be wicked because there is no escape” (v20)

Don’t you think that sometimes we are like the 3 friends pronouncing our verdict on a situation without understanding what is really happening behind the scenes?

And sometimes, we are like Job who has friends of such that recommend us a solution without understanding what is really happening.

There are a few learnings here:

1)     While there are truths and wisdom from the words spoken by the friends, yet sometimes the way we speak ‘truths’ can be insensitive, rude, proud, arrogant or even murderous. We may think that we know it all and can give all advice in all situation (are we like God?) while on the other hands, we may be ignorant, unsympathetic, without empathy, without wisdom. May it is good not to jump into conclusion too soon. We can pray a bit more.  We can ask the ‘Job’ to relate his situation more. We can listen to him more.

a.     So it is good to first ‘hold what we want to say’

b.     Listen to what is being said

c.      Pray

d.     Examine our hearts/motives before we speak.

e.     Speak gently with love

2)     While we may not face the extreme situations like Job, yet it is by no means less frustrating or helpless when we have the likeness of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar during our trial. The truth is this: we all have friends like these 😊. So what do we do? I would do this:

a.     They are still my friends that needs ‘enlightenment’. At the end, hopefully God will reveal to them. And hopefully, before the time on earth ends. So I may not want to break that friendships.

b.     If they react to my situation, I am reminded not to react too quickly. Respond wisely (that is for another article 😊)

c.      Find other friends that I can share with instead.

Have a good day. 

Blessings

Jonathan Teo
29 Jan 2021

Abraham’s contrasting responses to the 2 Kings (Gen 14:17-24)

https://pixabay.com/images/id-2098011/

 Background:

A battle took place in the earlier episode whereby 4 kings waged war against 5 kings (v1-16).

The 4 kings waged war because of the 5 kings rebelled against the rule of Cherdorlaomer (one of the 4 kings and assuming the key leader in the area). The incident continued with the king of Sodom, one of the 5 kings (v10 defeated). The enemy then took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and also Lot (who lived in Sodom). 

Part of God’s divine arrangement of making Abraham great (Gen 12), this incident had Abraham implicated because his nephew Lot was captured. Abraham went to his rescue and this rescue operation made Abraham known (v17-24).

When Abraham returned after his successful operation, 2 kings came to meet him. They were the king of Sodom (one of the 5 kings who were defeated by the 4) and the king of Melchizedek.

It is interesting that v17-24 had a chiastic structure:

A  The King of Sodom came to Abraham (v17)

B  The King of Salem, Melchizedek, came to Abraham (v18)

 

B¹ The King of Salem, Melchizedek blessed Abraham (v18-20a)

B² Abraham’s response to the King of Melchizedek (v20b)

A¹ The King of Sodom offered a deal (v21)

A² Abraham’s response to the King of Sodom (v22-24)

 

Reflection and Thoughts:

1. Despite his great successful operation, Abraham remained humble to receive the One (Melchizedek) whom he recognized as superior than him.

- What about us? After good success or a successful run or project, are we able to stay humble and acknowledge there are always people greater than us? Do we acknowledge God as the One in charge?

2. Despite his great successful operation, and a chance to strike deal with anyone (because Abraham is much known now), he declined the king of Sodom and choose to rely on God. He chose not to have the king of Sodom made him ‘look rich or great’ (v23) but instead have God as the centre.

- Are we in ‘danger’ or being ‘tempted to’ capitalize on our success (which was given by God) to our benefit? Can we discern which ‘deal’ is God-honoring and which ‘deal’ is not? It takes wisdom and discernment to do that. And we can ask or enquire of the Lord regarding this.