Daily Thought

Some of Job’s most moving complaints are uttered in this chapter. It forms Job’s reply to the discourse of Bildad, one of three friends who came to ‘comfort’ him in his affliction.

It would seem these friends had precious little to offer him by way of ‘comfort’, and that in fact their messages to him were likely to depress him still further. How concerned we should be in the manner of our approach to others of our acquaintance who pass through troubled waters. With what care should we choose our words in seeking to minister comfort to them.

Job’s comforters relied heavily upon human wisdom in their analysis of why his circumstances had lapsed into tragic decline. As we read the book of Job we are made aware of how misguided their comments were, and of how, in a sense, they added to Job’s agony of mind. This is Job’s first complaint, and to it he adds others. God, who has dealt with him so summarily, is deaf to his entreaty; friends and family have forsaken him; servants ignore his requests, as does his wife; children react to his condition with abhorrence. In complete and utter dismay he appeals to his friends, asking for their pity, and begging them not to persecute him any more. That the saga continues would indicate that his cry went unheeded, and that he must still endure misery coming from that particular quarter.

Then he makes another appeal; this time it is to God, who both hears and responds to his request. He asks that his words might be written and printed in a book, and that they might last for ever, vv. 23, 24. Today, we have the words of Job eternally enshrined in the canon of holy scripture - God in His love granted Job’s wish, thereby fulfilling His own sovereign will and purpose, and benefiting His suffering saints of future generations. They may turn to that blessed book, and take comfort from Job’s experiences and ultimate blessing at the hand of God.

In expressing the yearnings of his heart, Job had hope that God might grant him this request. Also, he embraced other hopes for which he looked to God; hope of bodily resurrection in a future day, and hope of then meeting his Maker, vv. 25-27.

These were certain hopes, for he presents them as statements of fact!