Reading
SAA Notes
Job’s three friends might have woeful theology, but they do feel for him. The reasons for Job’s cursing his birth are revealed in verses 20-26. What did Job fear? What do you fear?
SJA Notes
* Holy God, please help us to be poor in spirit – Your word tells us that theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights,”
Whatever may come later with these friends of Job they did care for him.
We might have friends like this.
They sat with Job for a whole week without speaking, seven days! That is a good long while, showing a dedication to their friendship.
Because Job is low. Very low.
“Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?”
He has suffered the brutal loss of his children, along with complete business bankruptcy and physical breakdown (affecting his mental state without a doubt).
Job sits in ashes and scratches his sores with a broken piece of a pot.
Job is miserable.
Job is heart-broken and he cries out to the Lord.
This first set of words from Job is full of bleakness, questioning why he has lived all these years for such a time of sorrow.
His questions are valid, his thoughts are important – They show us a person wrestling with terrible experiences.
The book of Job is for us today, as we ourselves go through life and the suffering that we experience.
* Loving God,
Your love is steadfast, Your faithfulness without end.
Please remind us of what You have done for us.
Please remind us of our need for Your salvation, that You gave at the cost of coming here Yourself to pay our debt.
Please remind us of our great hope in You of eternal life, in glory where there will be no more suffering.
Amen.