Chapter 409 of 1163

JOB 6–7

Job admits that his words were rash (6:3), and he explains why: his grief was a burden that his friends did not feel or try to help him carry. God was shooting poisoned arrows at Job, and his friends were not applying medicine to his painful wounds. One day God will change our burdens into glory (2 Cor. 4:16–18), but until then, we must bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) and relieve one another’s wounds (Luke 10:25–37; Acts 16:33).

The friends were like desert brooks that dry up when they are most needed. The thirsty travelers hope for refreshment, but they are disappointed (6:14–23). Do you disappoint hurting people by being critical and failing to care?

In chapter 7, Job talks to God about the seeming futility of his life. Why should God keep him alive? What is all this suffering accomplishing? Job is like a weary hired man who gets no wages (7:1–5). His life rushes by like the shuttle on a loom; it is like a breath and a cloud (7:6–10; James 4:13–17). Job is a target (6:4; 7:20), but what is God aiming at?

“If I am a great sinner,” says Job, “then either pardon my sins or take my life. Either way, I will find some peace.” (See 6:9–10; 7:15, 20–21.) It seems a logical argument, but God’s thoughts are not our thoughts; what seems meaningless to us is reasonable to God (Isa. 55:8–9). We must walk by faith.

Hurting people need encouragement, not argument. Ask God to make your words like healing medicine (Prov. 12:18) and refreshing water (Prov. 18:4). Start the day praying for wisdom to say the right things at the right times (Isa. 50:4).

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