Brenda Speaks

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16 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?

Job did not sit back and let his enemies triumph.  When the craziest of people speaks, sometimes you can't help but respond.  Job is on his back and minding his business.  He addresses the negative comments that his friends are trying to drown him in.  Today the same method goes on, People who are ignorant think they have the last word.  You do not.  We are uneducated in God's Word and we boast about our stupidity.

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.

Job says if the tables were turned I could speak as you do.  But, that is not who I am.  When we respond outside of love, we sound empty and foolish.  Job's friends speak as fools to a man who is unable to help himself.   We do not have to be educated to get a degree in foolish talk.  It takes no effort to sound like the unlearned.

5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

I would show empathy toward you and speak words of healing if you were as I am.

6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

When I tell you how I feel, I do not feel better, and when I sit quietly and allow you to talk I feel the same.

7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

God has made me sad. God has taken all my family those that know me.

8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

I am getting aging or looking older and skinner by the day.  

9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

God is taunting me in front of people who look at me.  He is mad and I do not know why.  Job sees God as many of us do when we are in pain, alone, or lost.  Does God understand our pain or sufferings that causes us to speak as Job? We can learn what to say or not say from Job's speech.  God does not change from being good when bad things happen to us. 

 If God is good, and we say we trust him, why do we speak as Job in things we do not fully understand?  When we identify words that speak against God as sin, we develop an awareness of what we should say during hard times.  Spending time with God daily helps us to remember how good he is in times of trouble.  The Spirit of God is strengthened when we grow in the Word of God.

10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

These men came together to hit me in places I did not know existed.  It is hard to comprehend why this is happening to me.  

The devil doesn't like people and he will do anything he can to show it. 

11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

Job speaks out of the lack of knowledge.  When we know God is good, we can learn from Job's words to say something good or keep quiet.  This book quickly reminds me that I do not know what God is up to, so, relax.  Pray and relax.

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.

Because Job does not know what God is allowing he talks about what he does not know.  He feels the pain, it is hard to see Job in this condition.  I am able to understand it because I constantly remind myself of chapters one and two.  I do not think I could comprehend as much as I do, had God not reveal what I know that Job will find out later.

15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

Sackcloth is usually torn.  Job said I will wear the same outfit because everything I change into will be ripped.  I will cover my head with dust to indicate I am of no use.  Usually, dust is thrown in the air as a sign of grief, but, Job says he will keep his head in the dirt to show his sadness.  

16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

I am constantly in tears and I do not look good when I cry.

17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

Job maintains I do not know why this is happening to me because I have done nothing wrong.

18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

Job talks to the earth.  Do not cover me and let my cry be heard by someone somewhere.

19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

Job exclaims.  God knows I am innocent.

20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

My tears are not because of what you say.  My tears are the result of how God is allowing me to suffer.

21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

Somebody somewhere, pray for me.  Pray for me as a friend.  Pray for me as you would pray for yourself.

22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

Job said, soon and very soon I will die.

Sing or Say

Job 16

I've heard you speak

and you say the same

If you were me 

I would feel your pain

Excuse me if you will

I'll ignore your words

I want to talk of God

And about my hurt.

Look at my strength 

I’m weak and not strong

Why does He hate me? 

When I've done no wrong.

I see as I see

and I don't understand

How a God like you

Cause this much pain?

I would be complete

If I only knew why

God knows my condition

And won't answer my cry.

If I have sinned, 

then tell me so

What you want from me?

I just don't know.