Job 20

Just pause for 20 seconds in the grocery checkout line and read the magazine covers. First, note how they are all aimed at women, mainly because marketing companies know women typically do the household shopping. Second, note how each headline creates a crisis (oh, no!) and then offers the magic solution (oh, good). Are you tired all the time? You may have a vitamin deficiency – just follow the three step plan to get your health back on track. Struggling with your hormones? Eat these five super foods. Having trouble sleeping? You need to read the secrets contained within to finally get a good night’s rest.

Can you imagine magazine headlines that only identify problems? Only bad news, not even an attempt at a quasi-solution. This is what Zophar offers – just bad news. He is the original Negative-Nellie. He magnifies the crisis Job is experiencing, but offers no comfort or help, no thoughts and prayers, no casserole dish, no death-by-chocolate cake, no recipe for magic celery juice.

Zophar lumps Job in with the wicked, warning him that he will, like the unrighteous, decay like a pile of his own poop (v. 7). He will disappear from memory completely (v. 9). He will “fly away like a dream” (v. 8).

Verses 12 through 25 offer a vivid description of the wicked as gluttonous hogs, never satisfied or full, always seeking the next sweet taste, longing for fullness that can never be found. It’s a good description of the discontent sin brings, very well stated. But, does this describe Job in his current state?

What do we do with ill-fitting criticism? How should we respond to a friend who confronts? What if their confrontation is off center, not based on all the facts? We must follow the clear direction in Ephesians, chapter 4, as we “maintain unity,” build up the body of Christ in love, and practice forgiveness with each other. When a friend confronts in love, we can accept the truth and grow from it. When a friend confronts in error, we can redirect to the truth and still grow from it.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Ephesians 4:1-3, 15-16

Job defends himself in the next chapter and directs his friends to some good truth. Truth brings freedom and peace. Job will see the truth before the end, as will his friends. Their reunion and reconciliation will be sweet.