I Spy God

As I continue reading the counsel of Job’s friends in chapter 11, I realize I could have clumped all of their responses together.

[cue: Zophar enters scowling, joining finger pointing already in progress]

Zophar lets Job have it.  “Liar, liar pants on fire!”  He practically sings as he echoes the words of Eliphaz and Bildad, encouraging Job to fess up.  [Job 11:4-5]

Zophar even goes as far to say that because of Job’s guilt, he actually deserves more punishment than what he has been given already! [Job 11:6]

The commentary in my Bible describes Zophar:

Zophar is the third of Job’s friends to speak, and the least courteous.  Full of anger, he lashed out at Job… his speech was by far the most arrogant.  Zophar has an answer for everything; he was totally insensitive to Job’s unique situation.

Which of course, may be entirely true… however, you know what it’s like when you and a couple buddies decide to approach a friend who is doing something you think is wrong.

The first guy approaches the subject carefully and gently but the friend gets upset and denies any problem. Then the second guy joins the discussion, a little more forcefully to drive home your collective concern for your friend, and again the friend denies any wrong-doing and tempers start to flare.

You’ve been sitting idly by watching the whole thing and you’re done with the shenanigans.  Your friend is not getting it so you come in guns-a-blazing to drive the point home.

That’s Zophar.

He and his friends are having an intervention.  Their view; Job is hiding something, he has sin in his life he’s not confessing and they are trying to help.

Isn’t that what an accountability partner is supposed to do?  Granted, not to approach with a baseball bat; there is something to be said for tact.

Listen and love first…

Smack down later.

But to have a person who isn’t afraid to tell us we have a booger hanging from our nose or that our skirt is tucked into our underwear.  A person who knows us well enough to give us a swift kick in the pants when we make excuses for not attending church or to call us out when we start eating chocolate cake every night for dinner.  Someone who asks us, out of the blue, if we’re reading our Bible or spending time with God in prayer.

Although, I’m not entirely seeing the problem with that cake one.

“… For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'”   Romans 14:10-11

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak”   Mathew 12:36

We are to make good choices because…

“… each of us will give an account of himself to God.”   Romans 14:12

We are to help our friends make good choices because …

“… each of us will give an account of himself to God.”   Romans 14:12

Anyone see a recurring theme here?!!

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a few good men who had our back?  Who told us the truth and wanted us to be the best we can be in God’s eyes?

Ok then, let’s get started.

How are you doing?
Are you reading your Bible?
Are you spending time with your Father?

Do you know Him?

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”   Jeremiah 33:3

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”   Isaiah 55:6