Today I read Job 6 & 7, which gave Job’s reply to Eliphaz’ speech. Eliphaz only made Job feel worse instead of comforting him. Today I considered that sometimes a friend’s words do not help your situation and you may need to talk to someone else.
Job Replies to Eliphaz
Job replied to Eliphaz that he did not get the pity he expected from a friend instead got a trial and still wanted God to take his life (Job 6:1-7:21). Job said his grief and disaster was so heavy he felt pierced by arrows and poisoned in spirit. He wished God would grant his request and destroy him. Job felt his friend should pity him and he hoped they would be there like for him. Job considered his friend like a brook you hope to drink from but it dries up to nothing. He did not ask Eliphaz to come or do anything for him but Eliphaz dug a hole for him. Job said he does not have wickedness in him. He already can’t rest at night and has hopeless days sitting with his broken skin covered with dirt and worms. Job will complain because his situation is bad enough but then Eliphaz scared him with dreams/visions to make it worse. He would prefer to die than live. His friend can leave instead of bothering him because if he sinned his friend can’t pardon the sin and take away what he is going through.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Job was already physically and mentally in pain when he felt Eliphaz was blaming him for his condition. Job expected encouragement but got condemned. Some people you call a friend are not the ones to turn to when you face hardship because they bring you down. It is better to find someone who encourages you and tells you ways to help.
Do you know someone that if you tell them something negative or bad going on in your life they say things to make it worse? Can you tell them what you really need or do you need to find someone else?