The Lord Knows What Is Right
The Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has”… So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; for the Lord accepted Job. And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:7, 9, 10
There are two key thoughts in these verses. First, the Lord rebuked Job’s three comforters. God’s wrath was kindled against them. Why? Because they spoke wrongly of both God and Job. They did more damage to Job’s spirit than even the devil himself. When Satan had done his worst, it could still be written, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10). But as the three friends pounded their pious misrepresentations of both God and Job, the poor sufferer was driven to discouragement in his spirit (16:2; 17:1, 2; 19:2, 3). Mark this in your heart: Satan has no more dangerous tools than those who, under the guise of piety and in the name of religious orthodoxy, offer false comfort or give untrue impressions of God. It’s far better being silent in the presence of suffering than saying what is wrong or doctrinally incorrect.
Second, the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when Job prayed for his friends. Job’s release did not come by defending himself; it was prayer that brought the miracle. Prayer is the vital axis in the spiritual life of any Christian individual or church. There can be no genuine spiritual revival where there is no prayer. Is that not what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-46? We are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. Job prayed for his friends, and that brought about the real turning point. His liberation came not when he prayed for himself, but when he prayed for others! When I earnestly pray for others, my intercession not only brings blessing to them, it boomerangs back in blessing upon me. It’s not about me. It’s about others and glorifying God. Trust God and see what a difference it will make.
Dear Lord, help me think like You. Help me to remember Your love, show Your compassion, and be sensitive not only to those who are kind but also to those who are unkind. Give me the grace to forgive others and to be an ambassador for Christ. Help me pray for others knowing You will take care of me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dr. Rob Zinn, Highland, CA