Job chapter 16: verses 4-5 (NIV)
I also could speak like you,
if you were in my place;
I could make fine speeches against you
and shake my head at you.
But my mouth would encourage you;
comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Poor Job. In his suffering, he has received no comfort from those who claimed they had come to support him. They had spouted fancy words and accused him of sin, which they believed to be the root of all his trials. Job’s response is a reminder to me never to make assumptions or judgements about anyone else’s situation, especially if I don’t know the full story. God does know the complete picture and is far more merciful to us than we deserve, even where we have sinned, he offers us the chance to repent and start anew.
We need to be careful that we don’t point the finger at anyone else. I was taking a junior church lesson with our younger children and the person I was working with reminded the children that if we physically point our finger at something or someone, we will see three of our own fingers pointing back at us. I’d never given that any notice before and it was a timely reminder that I certainly won’t forget. (Try it and you’ll see.)
Job said that if the situations had been reversed, he would be seeking to encourage and comfort his friends and that’s what God expects from us instead of the finger pointing.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful that we see great wisdom and integrity from Job, even in the midst of suffering. Help me to follow his example and to be careful to show grace and mercy to others without judgement. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.