Today I read Job 12, 13, and 14, in which Job replies to Zophar. Job had gotten tired of hearing their discouraging words. Today I considered that we can tell others when we are tired of hearing discouraging words from them because our lifespans are short.
Discouragement and Lifespan
Job is tired of the discouragement, wants to hear from God, and even thinks trees and mountains sometimes have it better than men for lifespan and not feeling loss (Job 12:1-14:22). Job told Zophar he is not inferior to him, he has understanding too, but is being mocked and lied on by his friends and neighbors. Everyone knows God’s hand is in this because even the animals and earth know God has control of the life of every creature. Wisdom, strength, counsel, and understanding belong to God. God can put people in leadership positions and take away their ability to do them. God can make nations great and destroy them. Job wants Zophar and the others to be quiet. Job desires to reason with God and puts his hope in God regardless of what he is going through. Job asks God to stop his torment and to talk to him. People only live as long as God appoints for them to live, our lives are not long. Trees can be cut down and sprout again unlike mankind. Job asks God to hide him in the grave until God is not angry, and when God remembers Job to not remember Job’s sin. Mountains and rocks break and crumble but only feel their own pain not the loss of their children.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Compared to trees that can live 200 to over 5,000 years, human lifespans are short around 77.5 years for those in the United States as of 2022. Considering that we do not live long, would you prefer to live that time hearing discouraging words or encouragement?