Fall 1987
My Friend, Job
Harry Huff
Lewisburg, Penna.

Did you ever have a casual acquaintance that you desired to become close friends with? "Casual" expresses my past relationship with Job. He was always there, as the example of human suffering. I knew that I could find him between Esther and Psalms in the Old Testament whenever I needed him.

All that has changed. Job is no longer a lonely character, buried in the pages of Scripture. He went through the pressures that I, in different ways, face in these difficult times and has become an ever present encouragement tome as I seek a way through the trying circumstances of life.

Job's world was a harsh mixture of pre-flood memories of sin, and God's righteousness. In his day, men again sought to elevate themselves to the throne of God in order to do as they pleased. Yet, Job knew God and had a personal relationship with Him. He loved righteousness and hated evil. The knowledge that he had about God and righteousness probably came by word ofmouth from his close ancestry to the descendants of Noah. Job faithfullysacrificed to God for himself, and for his household.

Job's home in the land of Uz was near the cradle of civilization, the fertile Euphrates. He had sons and daughters who had their own households, and for whom he was greatly concerned as to their standing with God. He also was a pillar in the community; counseling, helping the fatherless, and ministering to the poor. In all this, Job became known as the "greatest of all the children of the east." Yet, he continued to faithfully minister to the Lord.

Job had many talents; business management, animal husbandry, and personal counseling. However, in all of this wisdom, he was not aware that he was involved in a higher heavenly council. He did not realize that the "accuser of the brethren" was coming before the throne of God to cause strife, destruction and brokenness in his life circumstances.

Jesus had not yet come to gain victory over Satan and become our advocate before the throne. Yet Job had a foreknowledge of our blessed redeemer. As he was reduced through disaster, he maintained a clear "Christian" outlook on his circumstances. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord" Job 1:21b.

Satan came again into the council of God and demanded to further sift Job. He acknowledged that man might be able to withstand the loss of all things, but if his life was touched, then the law of self-preservation that is within him would turn him against God.

Here is the heart of the message of Job. Loosing his possessions, being personally afflicted, compromised by his wife, barraged with finger pointing accusations from his friends, Job yet maintained his faith in God. "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:10b.

In his heart, Job knew that he was righteous, and that he feared the Lord. But, he did not know the circumstances of his predicament. In all of his soul searching, Job did not understand his suffering, and attempted to justify himself.

As it is today, there were those who sought to counsel Job, without spiritual insight into the real problem and need. His three friends reveal to us a timeless problem. Today, there are many zealous counselors, who seek rank in the Kingdom of God, but who are unwilling to pay the price of earnestly seeking the mind and will of the Lord in specific situations. These unrighteous counselors, in seeking to elevate themselves in the Body of Christ, tear down that which is established of God and divide His house.

A true counselor of God does not need to seek out those who need help. The Lord Himself will send the needy to His counselor at the right time, in order to hear the right word. A true counselor will rely on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and maintains this ability through prayer, fasting and supplication before God. Along with this, the true counselor will manifest the fruit of the Spirit in his ministry, desiring to see the need met.

When measured against this picture of false and true counselors, Job's three friends may have been sincere, but they came short in their attempt to help Job, and left him frustrated and confused.

Fortunately, there was yet a true friend who counseled him out of a whirlwind. This friend was the Lord, Himself. Because of the frustration that he was experiencing, Job was ready to butt heads with God. Being a good counselor, and a friend, God first listened, and allowed Job to express all of his problems and complaints.

Then, God revealed to Job that He who created the universe and sustains it does well in all His acts, and has a purpose for all things. Then, He asked Job, who is man? Finally, He demonstrated to Job that He is all wisdom and that He will cut off the wicked and sustain the righteous.

Through the tempest, Job saw the Love that his heavenly Father had for him, and turned from his own self righteousness. He saw that God alone is just and true. His repentance was complete, he prayed for his friends and lived to seethe ten-fold restoration of all that he had lost.

Job continues to remind me that there is a purpose in each circumstance that I face, and to impart to me the understanding that there is a new day before me.