Listen; Job 1-2, Proverbs 1

May the mumbling commence!

We have now completed two loops through the New Testament.  We have spent the better part of a year in the New Testament, so we will now dive into some of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible.  In Tim LaHaye’s How to Study the Bible for Yourself, we are encouraged to read the Wisdom Literature first.

Wisdom Literature contains Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.  Each day, at LaHaye’s suggestion, I will read one chapter of Proverbs and two chapters of one of the other Wisdom Literature books.  I will start with Job. 

For this section of study, I choose to read from the New King James Bible.  I love the beauty of the translation of the King James in the Wisdom Literature, and I like the corrections and updating of the language on the New King James.  All quotations will come from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Today, we will look at the importance of silence and listening.  Have you ever wondered what to say to someone in a time of great grief and distress?  And, what about the emotions that I bring to the event – what do we do with them?  We can learn some wisdom from the initial response to Job from his friends who came to his aid.  Read from Job chapter two:

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. 

And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. 

So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. (Verses 11-13)  

Note the progression: First, the friends heard about Job’s adversity.  Then, they went to see him – leaving their own place.  Before they went, they had made an appointment.  When times are tough, unexpected company – even that of friends – can be unwelcome.  Sometimes, people in grief need space.  They need to pick who they want to have for company.

Note that the appointment has a defined purpose – to mourn and comfort Job.  We mourn with other brothers and sisters first, and then we may have opportunity to comfort.  They lifted their voices and wept – they joined Job in his tears.  They tore their clothes, threw dust on their heads and joined Job on the ground.

They were present with Job in his grief.  No one spoke a word.  For how long did they join Job in grief?  They joined him in silent grief for seven days and seven nights.  In the Hebrew Scriptures, seven is a number that symbolizes completeness. 

So, what makes the ministry of presence complete?  We wait and listen for the sufferer to speak.  Peaking ahead into the next chapter, Job speaks the first words. 

Listening and being present in the moment is essential to obtain wisdom and to comfort anyone in our lives who is suffering.  Listen to Wisdom speak the Word of God from Proverbs chapter one:

They would have none of my counsel

And despised my every rebuke. 

Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,

And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 

For the turning away of the simple will slay them,

And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,

And will be secure, without fear of evil." (Verses 30-33)

Let us listen to the wisdom of God and dwell in safety and security.  If we do not listen and keep our own counsels, we will be destroyed.  Death is at our door. 

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out