Slow to Speak

In the second round of speeches from Job's friends, the conversation turns far more direct and antagonistic. Eliphaz goes first and this time pulls no punches. 

Job 15:20–22 (ESV) The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless. 21 Dreadful sounds are in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him. 22 He does not believe that he will return out of darkness, and he is marked for the sword.

This is the problem with men, the more they speak, the more right they think they are and the less compassionate or soul-searching they become. Eliphaz goes on full attack mode at Job's defense calling him wicked and refusing to believe his suffering is anything but the just punishment of God for sins. 

Some friend. 

But again the underlying theme of Job is that suffering and life are far more complex than what we imagine them to be. There is so much we do not understand. And Job's friends are playing the willful parts of ignorant observants whose formulas are set in stone in their own minds.

We must learn this one thing from Job's friends. James tells us this as well: Do not be quick to speak!
James 1:19 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Or take it from the Proverbs:
Proverbs 10:19 (ESV) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

The study of Job's friends' words are indeed challenging because of these texts. They will also be proven wrong by the Lord. But that's not for some time in the book. If there's a takeaway at this point from the first of the second round of speeches in the book it is that sometimes we have to put up with the hasty impertinent words of unwise counsel. For Job, it will almost get to the point that their words are worse than the original tragedy. Something we might consider well when we are ready to speak into someone's suffering. We could do more damage than the original disaster. 


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