It is significant to realize that more than 50% of the book of Job is shallow, oversimplified and misguided advice from four religious advisors. They are all sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.
Instead of comforting him, and loving him well as their focus, their theology was their focus. In error they attacked Job’s character. And the harshest criticism came from the youngest in the group. Once I asked my spiritual father, Dale Gentry, for his best advice as I was just starting to lead the church. He advised me to be more gracious at a younger age explaining his harsh youthfulness as his greatest regret.
The older we get the more we value the things we should have valued all along. #wisdomofyears
I find it interesting that in both the Old and New Testament we see examples of youthful perspectives that have not stood the test of time producing harsh conclusions that lack relational consideration.
1 Kings 12 speaks of the younger advisors to Rehoboam being harsh while the older advisers were gracious. The youthful counsel is what led to the division of Israel into two kingdoms.
1 Kings 12:6-10 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked. They replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?" The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell these people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'--tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. NIV
John 8 reveals how Jesus spoke to a crowd ready to stone a woman who had been caught in adultery. The challenge for anyone without sin to throw the first stone. Interestingly the Bible specifies how it was the older men who dropped their stones first.
John 8:7-9 “…If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her... At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. NIV
Young Elihu has a loud voice and a long speech. Six full chapters; (Job 32–37) of an even greater insensitivity to Job’s painful circumstances.
Job 32:4-6 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 (saying), “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. ESV
In his lengthy lecture, he brings harsh accusation.
Job 34:35-37 Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ 36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! 37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” NIV
All together the three older friends speak about 4,800 words (averaging 1,600 words each). This harsh, angry young man more than doubles that with 3,400 words. When I was studying all of this out, Proverbs 10:19 came to mind which says when words are many sin is not absent. The New Living Translation says, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
It is easier to come to simplified, legalistic conclusions than it is to wrestle with the deeper realities of God that combine both his majesty and his mystery.
GP2RL: Practice James 1:19 this week! “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” ESV
Somehow through all of this Job was able to guard his heart. Remember when you are in the storm. Water can't sink the boat unless it gets in the boat. Negative situations cannot bring you down unless they get inside you. GUARD YOUR HEART!!!
This crazy fallen world is full of crazy fallen people. You are going to deal with hard situations and bad advice from well-meaning people but always remember that we are all on a journey just trying to find our way!
There is this curious verse in the middle of the book of Job:
Job 19:17 "My breath is offensive to my wife…
Job had bad breath? In both the Old Testament and the New the word that translates “spirit” also translates “breath”. His wife was angry with God and was angry that Job wasn’t sharing her disposition.
What is your disposition toward God right now regarding the unfortunate circumstances you have suffered in this fallen broken world?
