Am I Enough – Job’s First Response - Friends

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am always amazed that whenever I delve deeply into any life in the Bible I instantly see things relative to my own life.  I have neither the righteousness of Job nor is my current distress anything akin to his.  Still it seems that across four thousand years since Job lived some things have not changed.

We need to remember that Job believes that God is doing these things to him.  He was not privy to the conversation between God and Satan.  His wish for death is based on the fact that he feels he has nothing left to contribute to the world.  Then he makes a statement that is so deeply profound.

Job says, "A friend should treat a troubled person kindly, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.”  What if those who follow Christ live this one thing in the lives of others?  It does remind me of another command from God.  “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

The statements Job makes a are so deeply entwined with the character of God.  He is spot on about what friends should be for each other.  From this we learn that there is a deep sense that a friend should:

• Treat someone who walks away from God with kindness
• Not be deceptive
• Be reliable
• Not be Hypocritical
• Be Non-judgmental
• Keep his or her word

Note that this is what Job expects of those he calls friends.  To me this means that these standards should radiate inward.  I am in the midst of watching family members tear others apart because they refuse to be some of these things.  My Grandfather used to tell me that once you give your word you give up your choice.  I see people I love dearly hurting others I love dearly because they refuse to keep promises made.

No matter how much this hurts me or those I love I am bound to treat them with love and kindness.  No matter how much my fallen nature rages against the person who hurts me of those I love I must not let it rule me.  I must remember that I had to come to the place where I learned to keep my word.  I must remember that God is in control of all of it. 

I realize that there is not an easy solution to any of the issues tearing apart my family.  I cannot control of fix any of it.  What I can do is remain faithful to the God who is aware of it all and loves everyone involved.  If I am to follow Christ properly I must be a better friend, father, son, brother than Job’s friends.  I must love the ones doing wrong as deeply as possible even when it hurts to do so.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."

Job 6:1- 30

Then Job replied to his friends,

"If only my grief could be weighed, if only my misery could be laid on the scales with it, then they would be heavier than the sand of the seas. I spoke carelessly because the arrows of the Almighty have found their target in me, and my spirit is drinking their poison. God's terrors line up in battle against me.

“Does a wild donkey bray when it's eating grass, or does an ox make a sound over its hay? Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the white of an egg? I refuse to touch such things. They are disgusting to me.

"How I wish that my prayer would be answered- that God would give me what I'm hoping for, that God would finally be willing to crush me; that he would reach out to cut me off.  Then I would still have comfort. I would be happy despite my endless pain, because I have not rejected the words of the Holy One.  What strength do I have left that I can go on hoping? What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life? Do I have the strength of rocks? Does my body have the strength of bronze?  Am I not completely helpless? Haven't my skills been taken away from me?

"A friend should treat a troubled person kindly, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.  My brothers have been as deceptive as seasonal rivers, like the seasonal riverbeds that flood.  They are dark with ice. They are hidden by snow.  They vanish during a scorching summer. In the heat their riverbeds dry up.  They change their course. They go into a wasteland and disappear.  Caravans from Tema look for them. Travelers from Sheba search for them.  They are ashamed because they relied on the streams. Arriving there, they are disappointed.  

"So you are as unreliable to me as they are. You see something terrifying, and you are afraid.  Did I ever say, 'Give me a gift,' or 'Offer me a bribe from your wealth,’ or 'Rescue me from an enemy,' or 'Ransom me from a tyrant'?  Teach me, and I'll be silent. Show me where I've been wrong.  How painful an honest discussion can be! In correcting me, you correct yourselves! Do you think my words need correction? Do you think they're what a desperate person says to the wind?  Would you also throw dice for an orphan? Would you buy and sell your friend?  

"But now, if you're willing, look at me. I won't lie to your face. Please change your mind. Don't permit any injustice. Change your mind because I am still right about this!  Is there injustice on my tongue, or is my mouth unable to tell the difference between right and wrong?