As we have been experiencing the life of Job, we have witnessed his decline, his sadness, and his questioning. Enter into that equation is his so-called friend Eliphaz. In some ways Eliphaz is the sword that seeks to add more suffering to one who is already in the pit of despair, wondering the answers to why and why now! Wiersbe was wise in saying “You do not heal a broken heart with logic; you heal a broken heart with love.” Eliphaz seems to know just when and how to insert the sword and we have “friends” who much like that. Smugly Eliphaz says “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would set forth my case.” The sword digs in deeply as Job sits and listens to this friend of his.
We all face people like Eliphaz who seem to take joy in adding thorns to our pain. Jesus faced that and we do as well. So the question is how do you handle such remarks? Job responds: “For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison;” At this point, we stop and ask if we too have faced such situations? We can only face them with the grace of God upon our souls.
Beloved, take care that your words do not wound but apply the salve of the loving Savior.
