“…what great insight you’ve displayed!” Job 26:3b (adapted)

Job’s snarky response to Bildad could not have escaped notice:

“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!” (vv. 2 – 4)

His facetious remarks were meant to drive home a point: Bildad had not come to his friend’s aid. Once again, no comfort had been offered… the opportunity to be God’s extension of care to the hurting had been missed.

Once Job exposed Bildad’s lack of compassion, he confronted Bildad with a challenge:

“Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth.” (v.4)

Job exposed the weakness in Bildad’s theology – it made no impact in his living! Instead of caring for one who had become powerless, Bildad (and his two companions), hurled insults and accusations at Job. Instead of assisting the feeble to walk again, Job’s ‘friends’ seemed to be walking around him in an ‘accusational’ march. Any insights they had offered were already universally known. They were preaching to the proverbial choir when preaching to Job. The accusations they uttered from their mouths mirrored the spirit of The Accuser.

American Christians are great at following the three ‘fiends’ examples. We wound our healthy, and then shoot our wounded. Real transparency, real care, and real empathy for one another is lost in a cesspool of ‘egocentricit'y’ or even outright carelessness. If we are to be a part of God working in our country, we must let go of the ‘me first’ attitudes, as well as the convenient ministry mindset. True ministry is quite often not convenient… in fact, it is often messy and repulsive.

Working as a volunteer in a soup-kitchen can be an eye-opening experience. I opted for the job in the kitchen… the safe job… where no interaction with the homeless was expected. I didn’t have to be exposed to their street smell, their filthy bodies, or the awful language. What I didn’t take into consideration, however,
was that, by doing so, I prevented myself any opportunity to impact another life through a kind gesture, a gentle word, or a simple smile. It was after I became willing to serve that I was actually able to sympathize for them – their situation, their very limited resources, and their helplessness.

That’s what brought Christ to earth: He was tempted in all ways such as we ourselves are tempted; He experienced the loss of friends; He suffered cruelty beyond reason; He bore the weight of our sin upon His own body. Through His selfless sacrifice, we are given access to The Father and entrance into Heaven. Ask Him into your heart today.

Please know of my prayers for you during these difficult days…