Job 5-6
Job is in immense pain, but rather than be there for him, his friend seems to dismiss him. Job, feeling judged and unsupported by his friend, rebukes Eliphaz for his lack of empathy. This passage explores the importance of fostering strong and supportive friendships, even in the toughest times. (The timeline recommends reading these two verses after Genesis 16-17.)
Summary
Eliphaz continues to seemingly support Job by telling him to confess his sins to God. Eliphaz doesn’t believe that troubles come out of the blue. Job must have done something wrong to bring about this suffering. Eliphaz advises that if Job confesses to God, God will answer and take away his pain. God has done so many wonderful things to help people in need…surely, he will help Job.
Job tries to explain just how much he is suffering, and how he wishes God would just let him die. Job admonishes Eliphaz as a friend. He feels judged by Eliphaz because Eliphaz insisted Job must have brought this pain on himself. Rather than be supportive in this time of need, Eliphaz is lecturing Job. Job states that he can tell the difference between right and wrong, and he doesn’t appreciate his innocence being questioned by his friend.
Sidebar
Do you have a friend that you specifically avoid sharing your struggles with out of fear that they will judge you? Job’s three friends come to visit him when he’s in immense suffering. At first glance, that seems supportive; but if your friend is telling you that you must have done something wrong to bring on this karma, that does not seem supportive at all.
A good friend could offer practical help or suggestions to ease Job’s suffering. Today, that could look like doing their dishes, cleaning their house, taking care of their children, and/or running to the pharmacy or grocery store. Maybe just being present. Letting Job know that he’s not alone in his suffering could have been more comforting than any advice or lecture.
I would rather suffer in silence than hear the judgments of other people. That way of thinking can be problematic because one of the best things to have during low times is a good friend. Having good friendships is beneficial to our mental health, increasing happiness and reducing stress. It’s like feeding your soul. Strong relationships can also improve our physical health, leading to healthier immune systems and lower blood pressure. In essence, great friendships can have a profound positive impact on our overall health, contributing to a happier, healthier, and longer life.
Intention
Be the best friend that you can be! Here are some tips:
- Empathy over Judgment: Show empathy and try to understand what your friend is going through. Offering a listening ear and emotional support can be far more helpful than making assumptions.
- Support without Lecturing: Offer support and comfort without making the other person feel judged or criticized. Sometimes, simply being there for someone and acknowledging their pain is the best way to help.
- Validate Feelings: Validate your friend’s feelings and reassure them that it’s okay to feel the way they do. This validation can provide a sense of relief and comfort during difficult times.
- Offer Practical Help: Help with daily tasks or find resources that might provide relief.
- Avoid Assumptions: Avoid making assumptions about the cause of your friend’s pain and instead focus on providing support and understanding.
- Be Present: Sometimes, the best way to support a friend is by simply being present.
