When Being Right Does Not Matter

Read Job 8:1-22

There is a serious problem with writing devotions about the words of Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar. The problem is that they say many things that are absolutely true. Most of what Bildad says in this chapter is absolutely true. The problem is the premise upon which his words are built.

Here in chapter 8 verses 5-7 are important: "But if you will look to God and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be." Again, there is nothing necessarily wrong with this statement except that it is said based upon the erroneous assumption that Job had sinned and thus incurred God's displeasure. Ironically, as we have seen, it was not God's displeasure that caused Job's suffering but rather his (God's) firm belief that even if such things did happen, Job would not blaspheme. This proved to be true despite the enemy's best efforts to prove otherwise. So it was not God's displeasure that brought about Job's suffering, but rather, God's pleasure.

Job does not even disagree with anything that Bildad says. 9:1 says, "Indeed, I know that this is true." Job's issue is that his experience did not seem to match his beliefs. Job probably cannot even begin to imagine why a person would be saying such things. Bildad did not say anything that Job disagreed with, but when a person is suffering do they really need us to offer our opinion of why things are the way they are? "Job, your children got what they deserved" (vs. 4). Are those really the right words for the occasion? I think not. Maybe the statement was true. So what? There are times when we need to speak in tones of love and affection instead of orthodox theology.

Does it seem to you at times that the people who minister and counsel you have no idea where you are? You come to Church or Bible School and you may as well be invisible, right? Do you feel as though your pain, your hurt, your suffering and affliction have gone unnoticed by those you trust the most?

It does not take a special gift to know what people are suffering. All one has to do is look and listen. It does require a special gift to say the right thing at the right time. It does require a special gift to know when it is time to talk and time to be quiet. Bildad would have been a better friend that day had he simply maintained his peace. His thoughts that day, however true they may have been, failed to counsel Job because they did not really understand where Job was at that moment. Job may as well have been invisible. Bildad could see himself and his orthodoxy, but he may as well have been speaking to the wind.

Prayer Thoughts

Pray today that when you are called upon to be a friend that you listen attentively. Pray that God will instruct your wisdom and your words will be comforting and blessed instead of calloused and boorish. Be helpful by meeting the sufferer where he or she is at not dragging them up or down to where you are. All they need is someone to listen and be compassionate no matter how orthodox, right, or otherwise you may be.