“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him… They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” (v7-8,11-13 abr)
Now these are some loyal and considerate friends. They hear of Job’s suffering and come to sit with him in his suffering. They don’t initially offer any words or advise, they simply dwell with Job in his misery – they even practice a mourning ritual of tearing off their robes and pouring dust on their heads.
This scene reminds me of what Paul describes as the “marks of the true Christian”: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.” (Rom 12:15-16a) Job was literally at his lowest physical/emotional point, so his friends come to weep for/with him.
In our current world circumstances, I would encourage us to model our behavior after these Job’s friends in this chapter, and after Paul’s guidelines in Rom 12:9-21. Not only do we mourn with those who mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice, we also hold fast to what is good and love each other genuinely. These are just a few of the Christlike behaviors that are good and true to practice.
Of course, we cannot do these things on our own. Our culture shows that these behaviors are not the natural default. What we need is the Fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23) With that fruit, which comes from a living/growing relationship with God, we can fulfill Paul’s guidelines and support those who are suffering in this time of global trial (note: the support will likely rely on communications technology at this time, but it’s still important and impactful).
Father God, our holy Lord in Heaven, great and mighty is Your name. We humbly ask for Your Spirit’s guidance in our lives, that we may be led to those who are suffering. Father please help us to love them as Jesus would. Please help us to mourn with them and sit with them in their time of trial. Spirit please help us to simply listen, and offer only the words that You provide. Jesus, please help us to love our neighbor as ourselves, as You modeled for us. Father please break our hearts for what breaks Yours, and share the love of Jesus with our friendships, city and world. In the name of our most-high King Jesus we ask this, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training