Judges and Job

Saturday I finished Judges with some of the hardest reading in the bible.  It finished with these words, " In those days there was no King; every man did whatever was right in his own  eyes." Judges 21:25

Does this sound familiar. This is what happens with out God. Lord,  forgive our  nation, humble us and drive us back to you.  The way for evil to win,  is for good to not take a stand for righteousness.

Sunday, we did a lot of riding.  So, I tackled Job, which is next according to my bible chart and  is what our  Sunday School lessons are on  this month. Job is hard to read.  So much sadness and unanswered questions.  But the lesson suggested we read it and take notes on what Job's friends did that was helpful and what they said that was hurtful and to use it to learn more about dealing with suffering people.

I read chapters one through thirteen and these are some of the things I noted.

What the friends did that helped
They came
to comfort
cried with him
sat speechless
for 7 days

THEN, they opened there mouths and it went down hill from there.

Eliphaz started on a positive note
"your words have helped many"
"you told many to trust God"
"you have encouraged the weak"
"BUT now, when it touches you, you are broken and dismayed
Where is your confidence and faith in God now
Where is your integrity now
I know the truth
God takes care of  good and sends misery for sins sown.
Take my advise; confess sin and do not despise His wrath
My experience says man is mortal and we all die
confess and your sons  will be great"

This my paraphrase of what he said.
 The last statement  is an especially cruel for  a man who has just lost family.

Bildad went right to the point, a very cruel point.
"your children sinned and God punished them
"If your are really good,  God will protect you"

When my youngest son was facing open heart surgery,
 I was told, that if  I prayed and my faith was strong enough,
 he would be healed.
Some advice does more harm than good

Zophor accuses Job of being guilty and  just told him to repent

With friends like that.......
Job had asked for help and instead was being hurt. Tired of defending himself, he finally said.
"Oh, that you would have kept silent, that would have shown more wisdom" Job 12:5

We can not explain why bad things happen to good people.  So, we might as well not try.
Instead, just love them, pray for them, sit with them. cry with them, write a note, call, invited them, do practical things that help,  but please do not try to explain why.... it does not help.