When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (Job 2:11-13)
The other evening my friend and I were discussing struggles in life and in religion. How accepting Jesus back into my life and heart didn’t fix everything wrong. That I still have lessons to learn. That I still have challenges ahead of me.
As we talked, I grabbed my bible and started reading the story of Job. I hadn’t read it since I was a kid because, to be honest, the story of Job upsets me. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around how the God of love and grace would allow such a good and faithful servant to be tested in such horrific ways. At the same time I know there’s something I’m missing about his story and the only way to have my eyes opened about its message is to put my previous assumptions/issues aside and read it. I thought my friend and I might find something in Job that would help us with our own struggles.
I noted some verses that really spoke to me and shared them with my friend. Then I got to chapter 2, verses 11-13 (posted above). Of all the lessons I’ve heard about from the Book of Job, that moment was not one I’d ever heard referenced. All I’d ever heard about was how Job suffered. I’d never heard about his friends and how they literally wept for him and then sat with him silently to share in his suffering.
Those verses definitely made me think about friendship. What kind of friend am I? What kind of friends do I have? How can I be a better friend? How can I cultivate better friends? Basically – how can I be like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar? Their story has inspired me to work harder at being a better friend to the people around me.
The lessons from Job are a lot deeper than I ever thought they could be. The reminder to value my friends and work on being a great friend in return was right there all along. I’m so glad that God led me to it.
Dear Lord, help me to be a better friend. To not fix or advise my friends but instead to sit silently by their side when they need me. Thank you for reminding me of the true meaning of friendship. Amen.