Job ... and the Elephant

~ Job ~

and 

the Elephant

(in the Room)

[For readers who may be unfamiliar with the saying "Elephant in the Room" ... this refers to something so huge that it should be impossible not to notice ... but is ... in fact ... carelessly overlooked.]

     The Book of Job is not an easy Book to digest ... perhaps designed by our Creator more for the person who has "walked a mile in Job's shoes" ... or gone through ... similar drastic hardships and trauma as Job

... or has adequate empathy to feel Job's pain and recognize when the elephant is in the room.

     Like the "Elephant in the room" ... much can be said and erroneously overlooked about Job and his so-called "friends" ... if we attempt to try to psycho analyze what is really going on in their minds regarding:

... (1) which ... if any ... are real friends

... (2) which ... if any

... really understand Job's situation from a true spiritual perspective

... as they all attempt to sit in judgment and give a reason for Job's personal disaster

... without actually discovering the very simple ... yet very huge reason our Father in Heaven saw the importance of presenting this lesson in the preeminence of simplicity ... placed above ... eloquent ... religious analysis

... as the means to somehow arrive at an understanding of the real reason such a good man should suffer so dramatically on so many levels.

     Actually ... let's begin by emphasizing the fact that God proclaimed Job to be a "perfect" and "upright" man.

[This means that God, Himself, establishes the fact that Job is a "righteous" man ... something his "friends" from the beginning do not take into consideration ... but instead go forward to wax eloquent with their own reasoning.]

..Chapter 1.. 

1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

"perfect"

[H8535]

= one who is morally

   and ethically pure

= undefiled

= upright

[Lexicon]

= having integrity

"upright"

[H3477]

= correct

= right .. righteous

= pleasing

[In the beginning Job is blessed with family and property.]

2

And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

[BUT ... the devil challenges God regarding Job's righteousness.]

6

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

7

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

[Satan takes advantage of the opportunity to attack Job]:

13

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

14

And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15

And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19

And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

[Job is cut to the core ... the blessed life he enjoyed is gone ... nevertheless ... he continues to worship and trust God.]

20

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

[Yes ... Job proves he is a righteous man.

     In spite of overwhelming grief ... he did not sin or lash out against God ... but continued to respect God's will for his life.]

22

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

..Chapter 2..

[However ... Satan does not give up his desire to spiritually destroy Job so launches an attack against Job's physical body.]

1

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2

And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5

But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7

So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8

And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

[The attack is compounded by Job's wife ... rather than being an encouragement and trying to help  ... suggests that maybe it's his time to die ... maybe he would be better off dead

... making herself the one who first opens the door to let the elephant into the room.] 

9

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

[At this point ... Job begins to see the elephant in the room ... so strives to reinforce his trust in the Lord God.]

10

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

[Enter...three "friends"]

11

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

[Finally Job's  three "friends" come to visit him ... waxing eloquent ... letting Job know that this was a well planned group event intended to express their deep felt emotions in mourning his loss with the intention of comforting him.]

12

And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

[Bless their hearts!! ... what a spectacle they made of their grief on his behalf ... do we really believe that Job was sincerely comforted by this display of emotions? ... or was Job himself beginning to witness the elephant in the room getting bigger?]

13

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

[What amazing "friends" ... investing all that time just sitting there together in silence ... as we watch the elephant grow.]

..Chapter 3..

[...continues with Job wishing he was never born.]

..Chapter 4..

1

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2

If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
3

Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

[Eliphaz is the first to feel compelled to speak for God ... regarding Job's situation ... from his own perspective.]

4

Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

5

But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

[Eliphaz ... first reminds Job of how confident Job was in taking the role of encourager and instructor ... when he ministered to others ... but now when it's Job's turn ... it seems he is unable to take his own advice ... yes ... it looks like Job is beginning to look like a hypocrite to Eliphaz.]

6

Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?

["Looks like you are fearful and unbelieving, Job" ... says Eliphaz ... while Job is proclaiming his trust in God.]

  
7

Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8

Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

[Eliphaz digs deeper ... joining Satan in challenging Job's righteousness ... "Nobody can maintain righteousness forever, Job." ... Then drives those famous words home, "Job ... face the truth ... what goes around comes around ... you must have done something wrong to get this sort of chastisement from God ... better remember just how angry God can get when you fall off the righteous wagon, Job."]

9

By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10

The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11

The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.

[Wow ... Then Eliphaz shares that he had a vision that came from some spirit that supports his unique discernment regarding Job's failures ... the vision revealed that Job has a serious problem ... thinks he is more just and more pure than God Himself ... yes ... "holier than thou" ... if you will ... and certainly not as wise as he might think he is.]

12

Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13

In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14

Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15

Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16

It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
17

Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18

Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19

How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
20

They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21

Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

..Chapter 5..

[... Eliphaz ... continuing to wax eloquent about all God is able to do ... all true of course ... but still the elephant is waiting in the room to be noticed.]

..Chapter 6..

[Selected verses]

[Job's pain is still so great that he just wants to die.]

1

But Job answered and said,

8

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9

Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10

Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12

Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

[Job is losing confidence in himself and wonders if he has enough wisdom to be able to rebuild his life ... and is beginning to see that his "friend" does not have the fear of God in him ... so he does not really know how to be a real friend

... in fact ... all of his brethren are deceivers ... now drifting away from him.]

13

Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14

To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

[Job has come to realize that he cannot count on his friends ... sees the elephant in the room clearly now ... and discovered that his friends are blind to the huge message the elephant carries

... which also reveals that there is no fear of God in them.]

21

For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

[Job's eyes are opened ... those he considered brothers have become strangers ... they are actually the fearful and unbelieving ones as they take note of the price Job is paying to be a righteous man ... so distance themselves from him to protect themselves.]

22

Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23

Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

[Job confronts his "friends" with reality.

     Did he ever ask them for anything? ... want anything that belonged to them?

     Did Job ever ask them to rescue him?]

24

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

[Job begs them to instruct him if he is mistaken.]

25

How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26

Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

[Job rebukes them ... asking what correction does their pompous argumentative words actually achieve ... in response to the desperate speeches taking flight from a tortured soul?]

27

Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

[Wow!! ... Job points to the huge elephant in the room and identifies it as a priority of God that they chose to ignore in favor of cheap emotional drama disguised as heartfelt empathy.

     The huge elephant in the room that they have chosen to ignore has everything to do with meeting the needs of a Brother ... the one thing they didn't see ... was the most important thing they could have said:

     "Dear Brother ... we love you ... how can we assist you? ... how can we help you through this difficult time?"]

28

Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29

Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30

Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

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