Read Job 17:1-16
Sadly, we often judge people by their appearance. Job must have looked dreadful. His body has wasted away, he must have almost been unrecognizable. Do you think his friends’ responses were in any way affected by the way Job looked?
Job described himself a bit in this passage. What do we know about Job’s appearance? His eyes were swollen from weeping, and he had lost a lot of weight. Job believed he was being scoffed by the virtuous and righteous, probably some of those friends he used to have. Rejection. Job’s friends had rejected him. Don’t we tend to get defensive when we feel abandoned and rejected? Job was feeling such pressure.
Job continues to respond to Eliphaz and his other friends, as well as address God in this moment. Job laments, “I am surrounded by mockers.” What a shift from the seemingly compassionate supporters sitting with Job silently for seven days! Do you know how it feels to be mocked, made fun of, or thought to be silly in your thinking? Job was feeling that, too, in addition to all the grief.
What keeps Job going? We know God didn’t want Job to die. I think what kept Job alive was his hope in God. Even though he was pretty mad at God. Job blamed God as he said, “God has made a mockery of me among the people; they spit in my face.” All of these abrupt life changes for Job have come from God—he just knows it!
That knowledge or belief not only crushed Job but energized him. Job knew good comes from God, too. Since Job didn’t intend to abandon God, he moved forward to conquer the pain thanks to a force inside him. He certainly didn’t get support from his friends or outside community.
Job is on defense now. He’s trying to avoid more trouble by fighting it off like a goalie keeping the balls out of the goal box. Job isn’t in the place mentally or physically to be on the offense, taking on the enemy head to head. Of course, Job doesn’t know exactly who the enemy is or why the attack is happening in the first place.
Despite the drear nature of Job’s response, he is still clinging. He hasn’t given in and turned away from God. Job suggests his friends should go figure something out because what they’ve said so far isn’t helpful.
In the meantime, Job is hopeful of something. Hopeful of a brighter tomorrow, of friends who’ll support him, of a God who will stop being silent. Job’s confidence is in this statement. “No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We will rest together in the dust!” In our own rough times, we, too can stand in hope and trust of the same God.
Take this verse with you today. Psalm 147:11 says, “No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” God delights in you!
Let’s pray. Father, I come to you a bit depleted from the struggles I see around me and the disregard people have for you. It breaks my heart, LORD. I lament with you for those who have turned their back or refused a relationship with you. .I am beyond grateful that you would want a relationship with me. I am so filled with hope and peace as I face what this world offers knowing you are beside me. Never let me go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
