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