The Daily Word: Tuesday, August 25th, 2020
Job 16:1-19:29
1 Corinthians 16:1-24
Psalm 40:1-10
Proverbs 22:1
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all!” – Job 16:1-2
Job’s friends were “miserable comforters.” They were absolutely unhelpful! When tragedy struck unexpectedly in their friend Job’s life, they came to help. But instead, they hurt him even more. What did they do that was so damaging?
1) They talked too much.
Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? – v. 3
Their words were empty platitudes. They used a lot of words but didn’t say much! Job didn’t need someone to fix his situation; he simply needed someone to help bear the pain. He needed someone to listen instead of speaking.
2) They thought it was Job’s fault.
I also could speak as you do, if your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you; – v. 4
Job’s friends assumed that Job had done something to deserve the mess he was in! So instead of comforting him, they criticized him. Thinking bad things only happen to bad people and good things only happen to good people is known as retribution theology. That is not the gospel!
Don’t be like job’s friends. Don’t be miserable comforters! Talk less and listen more. Fight your need to explain why something happened and bury your tendency to blame other people. God needs you to comfort others well. Will you answer the call?
Prayer:
Father, make me a good comforter. I want to listen well, and provide the peace and hope other people need. I ask that Your Holy Spirit would empower me to do it, in Jesus’ name!
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
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See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
See commentary from this day in 2018.
See commentary from this day in 2019.
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.