IGNORANT TALK OF FOOLISH MEN!

Friday, September 14, 2018

IGNORANT TALK OF FOOLISH MEN!

1 Peter 2:15-17

15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. NIV

Job 32:15

15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

           There seems to be no end to unsolicited advice – much of it bad advice. Job had lost so very much that his three “friends,” Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to stare at him and accuse him of grievous sins. Why else would God bring such affliction on him?

           Job could have rightfully scolded his companions for their cruelty and insensitivity but he didn’t. He just kept on doing right. He did not “curse God and die” which was the advice of his own wife. He did not blaspheme God. He did not accuse God of unfairness. He did grumble a bit to his undiscerning friends. “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend Job 6:14.”

           Job steadfastly clung to a God who was allowing horrible things to come his way. Job did not and could not know that he was the focus of an argument between the Devil and Jehovah but his faith did not waver. He said: “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:21-22

Dear Lord plead my cause before thine own throne. Deliver me from insensitive words whether received or given. Let me not be quick to judge but let me be swift to offer comfort. AMEN