Job 2:11-13 (ESV)

[11] Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. [12] And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. [13] And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

This was a lengthy affliction that Job experienced. His friends came from a distance. They made an appointment together. It would have taken some time for word to get to them about Job’s condition. It would have taken some time for messengers to travel between them setting up the appointment, or agreed upon time to visit. It would have taken some time for them to travel to see Job. Once they were there they sat with him for seven days without speaking. This was no short affliction that Job experienced.

When I am hungry I get grouchy. When I am nauseous I wish that God would just take me home. Let’s be honest, physical infirmity affects our whole being. Yet here is Job, having lost everything he owned, having lost his family, and now having lost his health. His response is, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10). “In all this,” the text says, “Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).  

2 Corinthians 10:5b instructs believers to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” One online source lists 35 verses on controlling your tongue. Psalms 34:12-13 says, “What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” James 3 warns about the importance of taming the tongue. “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2 ESV). For all Job’s afflictions, “Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).  

Sometimes we think that honesty means saying whatever thoughts come to mind. But that is not honesty. It is foolishness. As believers we are to bring every thought under the control of the Holy Spirit. As believers we are to guard every word that comes out of our mouth. We are to speak words of comfort, encouragement, and peace. We are to turn our eyes upward, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2). We are to “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that (we) do not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb 12:3).

By the grace of God, and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, physical affliction and infirmity ought to move us deeper in dependence. Too often, however, we allow the darkness to descend and we embrace hopelessness and despair. In those times may God remind us of the integrity of Job who, even when his wife encouraged him to curse God and die, chose the high road and did not sin with his lips. In those time may God remind us of the example of Christ, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” In those dark times let us resolve to take captive our thoughts and turn our eyes upon Jesus.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free:

[Chorus]
Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are!

His word shall not fail you He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well.
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

[Chorus]
Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Songwriters: DAVID HAMILTON, HELEN HEWARTH LEMMEL

© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

For non-commercial use only.