Our words have far more power than we can imagine. Imagine a major riot can be ignited just because someone spreads a rumor about something that has not necessarily happened. On the other hand, someone who is depressed because of the problems they face, feels extraordinary strength and comfort because of the presence of a friend with words that give birth to hope. The choice lies with each of us, how we want to say our words. One thing to remember is that those who are hurt by the words of others, usually will be affected so badly and need time to recover. This last thing happened to Job.
Through verses 21-23, Job's anxiety about what his friends did is emanated. He really hoped for his friends' assistance, but it turned out that they were so shocked to see Job in a terrible state that their ability and desire to help were lost. Job did not owe them anything, never asked for anything, never asked for action to free him from the enemy. What prevented his friends from helping? Job asked to be told what the obstacles were between them and himself so he would receive the descriptions of his friends. Even though Job has gone astray, show them the way that they think is wrong.
Unfortunately, what his friends could give were words that they thought were honest, but in fact they were in the form of a reproach to Job. Unfortunately the conversation seems to be going in “one direction”. Job's friends heard Job's words, but only in passing. They studied Job's words, but did not pay attention to them as the cry of the heart of a person in despair. Job's screams of pain were only judged as right and wrong according to the rules of faith at that time. Job's words were like the wind. So it is natural that what Job's friends see as comfort are empty words that do not reflect empathy for Job.
They are so hard-hearted that they may cast lots over an orphan to see who will have it or they treat friends as merchandise (v. 27). Job tried to draw his friends' attention to himself and see him again as a human being. Not just an object that they could judge as much as they wanted. Twice Job told his friends to turn away or turn around as seen in verses 28 and 29. Job invited them to see that he never lied, but not the claim that he was always right. May they pay attention to the suffering behind his words and not judge arbitrarily through the words he said. Job challenged them to answer the reason why suffering happened to him, even though he was innocent.
Bible friends, we always have a choice including in using our tongues. Whether this tongue will be used to comfort and strengthen others, or to judge and simply spread false news (hoaxes). Today the tongue (words) are even represented by our fingers when using social media. We often feel powerful and become netizens who are always right by making comments on other people we don't even know and judging situations that we don't really know the clarity of. Be wise in speaking especially when providing comfort to those who are grieving and struggling. May God always guide us with His wisdom.
