Job was respected by all and sundry before his ordeal commenced. He had many friends, his entire community respected him.
Job 29:7-11 “Those were the days when I went to the city gate, and took my place among the honoured leaders.
The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.
“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.
Job 29:21-25 Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.
They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.
And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.
They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.
When trials come, people may forsake you. Your loved ones may desert you and find petty faults with you. Like Job, other people who are not privy to the reason why God has allowed your suffering, would interpret it in their own way, judge and withdraw from you. Some will condemn you, others will spread lies about you. There are also some who would attempt to glory in your suffering, and use your suffering to depict how blessed they are.
Too often, as Christians, we are quick to judge someone who loves the Lord and appears to be going through contrary things. We are quick to assign meaning to their experiences, often without praying for them. Job experienced this at his time of suffering. Everything that was going smoothly in his life, started to go downhill. His relations died, he lost his financial grounding and his social status.
Job 16:10 People jeer and laugh at me. They slap my cheek in contempt. A mob gathers against me.
Job 19:13-19 “My relatives stay far away, and my friends have turned against me. My family is gone, and my close friends have forgotten me. My servants and maids consider me a stranger.
I am like a foreigner to them. When I call my servant, he doesn’t come; I have to plead with him! My breath is repulsive to my wife. I am rejected by my own family.
Even young children despise me. When I stand to speak, they turn their backs on me.
My close friends detest me. Those I loved have turned against me.
Times of trial can make you forlorn and forgotten about. You become unappealing to your close companions. As Jesus stood condemned, Peter swore he did not know him. Jesus experienced being forsaken in times of great trial.
Cheer up if you feel forsaken, for like Job, you shall be comforted. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Job 42:10-11 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.
