The Book of Job Can Help You When You Give Counsel

 "Now, Job, please hear my words." - JOB 33:1.

THE news spreads like wildfire among the people of the East, Job, a man known far and wide for his riches, has lost everything. When three of Job's companions-Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar-learn what has happened to Job, they journey to Uz in order to comfort him. But they are prepared for what they see when they arrive. 

Imagine the scene. In a sense, everything that Job possessed had been taken from him. His vast herds of sheep, cattle, and donkeys are gone. His children have been killed and most of his servants have been slaughtered. And the house where Job's children were killed lies in ruins. As if that weren't bad enough, Job is personally affected. His body is now covered with painful boils. From distance, the three men see Job dejected and sitting in ashes. How do they react? For some seven days, they do not say a word to this man who in great pain. (Job 2:12, 13) At one point, a younger man named Elihu arrives and sits down nearby. Job finally breaks the silence by cursing the day he was born and wishing for death. (Job 3:1-3, 11) Clearly, Job needs help! What these men say and how they say it will prove whether they are really Job's friends and whether they are truly interested in his welfare. 

Jehovah had Moses record what Job's three companions and Elihu said and did. It is worth noting that some of what Eliphaz said seems to have been inspired by a wicked spirit. In contrast, Elihu's statements were inspired by Jehovah.  (Job 4:12-16; 33:24, 25) Little wonder, then, that even though the book of Job contains some of the best advice given, it also contains some of the worst. A key benefit that we can gain from the book of Job is how it can help us when we need to give counsel. First, we will consider the bad examples of Job's three companions. Then, we will discuss the good example of Elihu. In each case, we will learn how the Israelites could have benefited from the book of Job and how we can benefit from it today.

Next time: The Book of Job Can Help You When You Give Counsel - HOW JOB'S THREE COMPANIONS COUNSELED HIM

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