Job 16:1–2: “Then Job answered and said: ‘I have heard many such things; / Miserable comforters are you all!'”

December 11th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Job informed his friends he’d heard all the miserable statements they were telling him, meaning that either these were the sayings of the ancients, which were not unknown to him, or that these guys were starting to repeat themselves. Either way, Job had grown weary of his comforters. He gave them a new title that fit them like a glove: “miserable comforters.” His comforters had become more of a hindrance than help, and Job was certain they didn’t understand his real problem. They were doing the exact opposite of what we are called to do for those who are suffering, even if sin is involved. Paul wrote:

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Gal. 6:1–3)

Job’s friends were not trying to help carry his burdens; and the more Job asked for compassion from them, the more they scorned and condemned him. They accused Job of thinking wrongly about God, when in fact they were the ones getting Him wrong. When God finally addressed them, He said, “you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has” (Job 42:7).  We rightly cringe when we hear someone say, “I would never do that,” because under the right pressures, we are all capable of any sin. Therefore, we need to be humble and remember just how we were encouraged the last time life was difficult for us or we were struggling in our walk.

I read about an elderly widow, restricted in her activities, who was eager to serve Jesus. After praying about this, she realized she could bring blessings to others by playing the piano. The next day she placed a small ad in the Oakland Tribune: “Pianist will play hymns by phone daily for those who are sick and despondent—the service is free.” The notice included the number to dial. When people called, she would ask, “What hymn would you like to hear?” Within a few months, her playing had brought cheer to several hundred people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was able to comfort and encourage them.

“LORD, forgive us and use us to help encourage someone else this day, in Jesus’ name.”

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Job 16 KJV

¹ Then Job answered and said, ² I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.  ³ Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?  ⁴ I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. ⁵ But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. ⁶ Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? ⁷ But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. ⁸And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. ⁹ He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. ¹⁰ They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. ¹¹God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.  ¹² I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. ¹³ His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. ¹⁴ He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. ¹⁵ I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. ¹⁶ My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; ¹⁷ Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. ¹⁸ O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. ¹⁹ Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.  ²⁰ My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.  ²¹ O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!  ²² When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.