Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Job has lamented his suffering, protested his innocence and complained to God, but now Zophar the Naamathite (one of Job’s friends) has had enough. He believes Job’s words are empty and dishonest, amounting to the mockery of God. ‘Shall no one shame you?’ he cries (verse 3), before proceeding to do so himself.
As far as Zophar is concerned, there’s no such thing as undeserved suffering so Job must have done something wicked. Zophar is sure that were God to answer Job, he would deliver a sharp rebuke. If anything, Job’s punishment seems ‘less than [his] guilt deserves’ (verse 6). If only Job would swallow his pride and repent, the suffering would stop and he would live a charmed life once more! Zophar’s statement that Job will forget his misery like so much water under the bridge (verse 16) seems particularly heartless when you consider all that Job has lost.
Job knows the situation is far more complex. He’s not guilty, yet he suffers. It shatters what he previously believed about God, so he questions him not out of arrogance but because he wants to understand him rightly.
Before we judge Zophar, perhaps we should examine our own hearts. Unlike Zophar, we know what’s going on behind the scenes of this story, but in our own lives it’s unlikely we’ll have this kind of insight. How do we respond to friends in distress? Are we ever judgemental and lacking in compassion?
If our friend is hurt, we can pray for comfort and healing. If they are struggling to see that God loves them, we can pray like Paul in Ephesians 3 that they will know ‘how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love’ (verse 18). We can join them in asking God for understanding. It’s better to admit we don’t have all the answers than to misrepresent God as Zophar will later discover!
God, I’m sorry for the times when I have been cold and judgemental. Show me where my thinking about you is wrong and deepen my understanding. Teach me to come alongside suffering friends in a way that accurately represents your love, your compassion and the hope they have in Jesus.
This reflection was written by Esther King, Digital Communications Officer at Bible Society
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