Title: Get Specific / Topic: Becoming Better Communicators

Today’s Reading: Job 6, 7, 8; Acts 12

Scripture: Job 6:24-25
“Teach me, and I will be quiet;
show me where I have been wrong.
How painful are honest words!
But what do your arguments prove?"

Observation: (This post continues the theme of the previous day's post.) Job is reacting to Eliphaz words in the previous two chapters. Eliphaz's theme was the idea that good people get rewarded by God while bad people get punished. So Job and his children must have done something bad or all this bad stuff would not have happened.

This ticks off Job. He tells Eliphaz that the general nature of his points is worthless. He wants Eliphaz to get specific. Give concrete examples: "show me where I have been wrong."

And Job commits himself to being teachable, if -- and this is an important if -- Eliphaz can give him those specific places where Job has been wrong. "Teach me and I will be quiet."

But as the discussions continue, the specific examples Job is requesting are nowhere to be found, but platitudes about.

Application: It is easy to spout platitudes and generalities. While most of these commonly believed sayings have some truth at the root of them, they have plenty of exceptions, and some are even flat-out wrong. When giving criticism or correction, it is important to give actual examples. This provides a handle for the person to know what it is that you are talking about and what to do to improve.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for faithfully recording these events so we can learn how to better communicate your truth to those needing guidance. Help your people to become great communicators and comforters.

This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Eliphaz Has Spoken / Topic: Condescending Comforter

Today’s Reading: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10, 11

Scripture: Job 5:27

“We have examined this, and it is true.

So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

Observation: This is the conclusion of remarks made to Job by Eliphaz, one of the friends that came over to comfort Job. What strikes me here is the absolute surety that is expressed in all of what Eliphaz says as clearly reflected in these words: "We have examined this, and it is true." Case closed, end of story. Eliphaz has spoken. And, as if this is not audacious enough, he concludes with: "So hear it and apply it to yourself." Not only is what Eliphaz has said fully and incontrovertibly true, it is the exact prescription for what is wrong with Job. "Job, just take the prescription and that will fix you." It's quite arrogant and condescending, if you ask me.

Application: It seems to me that many Christians today are like Eliphaz, tending to have quick, sure answers to those who are hurting around them. But, like Eliphaz, many supposed answers are not real answers at all, but are clichés and formulas that can be hurtful or offensive and often miss the issue entirely. Job's friends started well by simply being with him in his misery. But once the advice started flowing, they stopped listening and slipped into counselor mode, giving Job their pat answers and really bringing more grief into his situation. This was the last thing Job needed.

I think we need two things in this regard, greater humility concerning the things of the invisible realm, and to become better listeners.

Prayer: Lord, keep me from becoming a condescending comforter to those who are hurting and need your help. May I be quick to hear and slow to speak. And help me to recognize that I "see through a glass darkly" concerning the things of your realm so that I don't assert my opinion ignorantly as if it is fact.

This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.