Job, so, just what was his test?

1. To charge God with wrong doing.
"In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing
2. To control his speech, "In all this Job did not sin in what he said"

1. In the epilogue, ch 42v 7 God says to the three friends "I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has".

Not truthfully representing God, in other words, taking God's name in vain. Counting God as empty. We know how upset we get, when someone misrepresents us in front of others, surely YHWH feels it more.

When I look at the whole picture of the drama in terms of the beginning and the end, I am reminded of the scriptures where the Israelites thought YHWH forgot them, didn't see their pain and misery,
Isa 49:14-17 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,the Lord has forgotten me."
Psalm 44:24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?

It is very natural for us to believe that our lack of attention to another's suffering is mirrored by God.

2. 'Job did not sin in all he said" James 3v2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. That's the standard! Job's body may have been falling apart, his flesh falling off like flakes of ashes, but he kept his whole body in check.


When we come along side friends facing many trials, what do we say to encourage them? Do we whip out scriptures or feel the complexity of the nature of suffering?