Greetings Mt. Vernon Family, 

Now when Job's three friends heard of all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set out from his home-- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and console and comfort him (Job 2:11 NRS).

Today when we think of friends, we think of people who will be there for us in the rough seasons of life as well as good times. Friends are people we can be transparent with because we feel safe with them. Job lost everything—his property, his children, and finally his health. Job was in need of support as times were desperate for him. We find in Job’s story that his friends did some things well and some things not so well. The first thing Job’s friends did well was they showed up. Second, they were silent and present. Many times, our presence and a listening ear is all we can offer. Third, they tore their clothes and wept with Job. When someone genuinely shares in our grief even if they are simply hurting because we are hurt, it helps us feel that we do not have to carry our burdens and grief alone.   

After seven days of silence, when Jobs friends did speak, they said the wrong things which only aggravated his suffering. In essence, Job’s friends told him he deserved what was happening to him because if had been in right relationship with God these things would not be happening. They judged Job perhaps to make themselves feel safe, rather than consider his human need. They defended their own interpretation of God’s word when ironically God considered Job more righteous than them. In Luke 13, Jesus explained that because evil things happened to certain Galileans who died, it did not mean they were more evil than all other Galileans. In Job 1:8, The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil." Thank You Father for teaching us how to show love and support to one another without judgment in times of grief and suffering.  Amen! 

Be Richly Blessed! 

Pastor Deborah Giles