“…their widows will not weep…” Job 27:15b
/Now that Job had the attention of his visitors and any spectators who may have come near, he declared it was time to give a pedagogical look at “the ways of The Almighty” (another five words; v.11b), observations easily seen by others which he would detail (v.12). Job’s lesson on God’s might would be given in two sections: the first was presented through the rest of chapter twenty-seven; and the second section we will cover in chapter twenty-eight. First, Job described what are obvious evidences of God’s power shown in “the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage a ruthless man receives from The Almighty…” (v.13). His list was certainly a provoking one:
The tragedy of one’s children dying by lethal force from enemies (v.14a);
The hunger one’s children would experience by blocked food commodities (v.14b);
The death of any family left when a plague strikes (v.15a);
The sadness of in-laws feeling no loss at the death of the wicked man’s children (v.15b);
The devastation of one’s wealth being lost like water through one’s fingers (vv. 16 – 17);
The powerlessness of one’s estate being taken (vv. 18 – 19);
The horror of waking up to a hurricane of biblical proportions, with no escape, and knowing one’s final breaths would soon mark the end of life (vv. 20 – 23).
Much of what Job detailed were things that actually happened to his family and him. Though there were three significant differences:
there were no widows to mourn the death of Job’s grown children, for everyone had been taken in the calamity;
Job’s life had been spared, just as God had commanded (read Job 2:6). The truth could not be argued… Job was still alive; and
Job still owned his property. He had very few workers and no livestock or wagons… but he did still have his property.
Those who may have gathered to witness the drama knew these differences, as well as Job’s friends. Those three things alone may have garnered Job enough credibility to be heard. Only, Job wanted to be heard by God, so he could present his case of defense against any charges brought from Heaven. Of course, Job still did not know that he had been singled out by The Almighty as an example of pure devotion to God. He was not being punished for some secret sin.
The saddest thing about this passage, however, is found in the five words presented at the top of the page. Ruthless, hardened criminals are most often deluded by their own spouses and associates who fear living transparent lives with them. Those closest to bad players may see or know so many dreadful things that they become numb to the reality of death and destruction. The death of these sinister social cancers actually brings relief to those who have had to submit to their sycophantic domination; so much so that their widows will not weep. How could they possibly mourn one who had brought so much pain and separation into their lives.
Though we should not read too much into the expressed lack of emotional displays during moments of bereavement, we should always be ready to speak a loving word or provide a comforting hand to those during a time of loss. While God counts the tears of the righteous (read Psalm 56:8), He is also moved for the widows who will not weep. He knows their silent cries and can turn their quiet mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11-12).
Have a blessed day…