Job was worn out emotionally and mentally. To his friends who had given their honest assessment of the situation, he said, "Will your long-winded speeches never end?" His human losses were still very fresh and raw in his mind. He had been grieving for at least a week and was now engaged in intense conversation and debate with his so-called friends.
Job was worn out physically. He had physical ailments that would have been enough for any of us to deal with. Add grief on top of that and I'm surprised he was able to have coherent conversations at all!
Job was worn out materially. More like wiped out. We know that Job had lost everything he had. He tells God, "you have devastated my entire household."
Job was worn out spiritually. Job states, "God has turned me over to evil men and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked... he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target." Wow! That is honesty and Job believed he was at rock bottom.
Even in Job's broken state, his faith in God is evident to me. Job poured out his raw thoughts and emotions to God. He continued to direct his thoughts and pleas to God. Through is prayers, he acknowledged God was there and in control of all things. God gave Job the energy and mental astuteness for what must have been a very intense and lively debate. I think it's interesting that Job would first respond to his friends and then transition to direct his statements to God in prayer. Whether they knew it or not, that was an incredible testimony to those men!
In Matthew 5, Jesus promises rewards in heaven for those who are persecuted because of righteousness. I wish Job could have heard (or read) these promises as he was going through his trials. Praise God that Job left us a legacy and that we can learn from today!
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
~ Matthew 5:3-12
