Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the ever-present God, the one who faithfully stands by us in every situation.
Lesson #7. Other people, even those closest to us, might not understand or support us in our struggle.
It does not seem that Job should have been so alone in his trial. There were many layers of relationships around him that should have offered comfort and support, but it appears that all of them failed.
How about his colleagues, business partners, or counterparts in society? "All my inward friends abhor me" (19:19). (Referring to those who would assemble, counsel, or consult together.)
Surely, children with their tender and compassionate hearts. "Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me" (19:18).
What about faithful and devoted servants (the few that remained)? "They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth" (19:15-16).
What about friends? Some friends are even closer than family. "Mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me" (19:13). "My familiar friends have forgotten me" (19:14). "They whom I loved are turned against me" (19:19).
Four friends did come, who from all appearances were genuinely impacted by Job's struggle and who sincerely desired to help him. These were godly friends, which we would expect of the closest companions of a godly man like Job. They had a significant amount of knowledge about God and wisdom concerning spiritual things. But their limited knowledge, their obstinate evaluations, and perhaps some impatience caused their intended help to be painful, detrimental, and frustrating.
How about Job's extended family? "My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away" (6:15). "He has put my brethren far from me" (19:13). "My kinsfolk have failed" (19:14).
Notwithstanding all of these failures, there was one person who should have been of immense support to Job, his wife. It would seem likely that she shared his belief in God and had been following God along with Job through the years. Her role as his wife was to be his supporter and helper. Theoretically, she was the closest person to him.
When things got really hard for Job, "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die" (2:9). In the thing that was most important to him, his faithfulness to God, she not only jumped ship but encouraged Job to abandon God also. Job later says, "My breath is strange [foreign, offensive] to my wife" (19:17). She didn't even want him close to her. I don't picture any tender ministrations at her hand or any faithful companionship. Her treatment really was one of rejection at a time that Job sorely needed support and kindness.
Quite understandably, Job felt these losses. He stated the ideal: "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty" (6:14). Job recognized the importance of godly support that helps the sufferer to continue faithfully with God. Instead, he felt abandoned by all. As hard as it is to be alone in trouble, the interactions or unfaithfulness of others cannot determine our own response. We must follow God anyway.
It is encouraging to know that God knows all about the abandonment and unacceptable responses of others. Just as God works His plan in our own life in His timing, God will also work regarding others in His timing. He may cause them to change their minds and acknowledge their shortcomings.
In the end, God rebuked the three friends for their wrong words. He instructed them to humbly go to Job and ask him to make prayers and sacrifices of repentance on their behalf (42:8-9). Thus there was an eventual restoration and renewed relationship with those who had previously abused Job with their words.
The family members and other acquaintances were also adjusted by God. "Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold" (42:11). There were a lot of people who had failed to support Job properly who eventually came around.
Even better than the possibility of people changing in the future is the present hope of the God who never changes. "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee'" (Hebrews 13:5). "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up" (Psalm 27:10). "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24), and in no other friend is that displayed as dramatically as it is with God.
Yes, it is possible (although not probable) that we can be abandoned and misunderstood by all, but we will always have the presence and comforting support of God, who knows and understands far better than anyone else. He alone can sustain us even in the loneliest of times. May you find Him to be your best and closest friend this week.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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