IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - Jehovah Healed His Pain

 At  last, the small group of men fell silent. Perhaps the only sound left was the whisper of a warm wind from the Arabian desert.  Job ran out of words, exhausted after a long debate. Picture him glaring at his three acquaintances, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar-almost daring them to continue.  But they could only look down or away frustrated that their clever arguments, their "blustery" words, and their hurful insinuations  had failed.  (Job 16:3)  If anything, Job was more determined than ever to defend his integrity.

Job may have felt that integrity was all he had left. He had lost his wealth, all ten of his children, the support and respect of his friends and neighbors, and finally, his own health. His skin was blackened with disease, encrusted with scabs, crawling with maggots.  Even his breath was foul.  (Job 7:5; 19:17; 30:30) Yet, the attacks of thsoe three men had stirred up in job a fierce indignation. He was bent on proving that he was not the corrpt sinner they said he was. Job's final speech had just silenced them.  Their torrent of cruel words had finally run dry.  However, Job's pain remained. He still needed help-desperately!

Job's thinking, understandably, was out of balance.  He needed correction. He also needed genuine consolation and comfort, the very things that his three acquaintances shoudl have provided but did not. Have you ever felt in dire need of guidance and comfort?  Have you ever been let down by people you thought were your friends?  Learnign how Jehovah God helped his servant Job and how Job responded may fill you with hope and give you practical help.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB -A Wise ad Kind Counselor

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