Weekly Encouragement

Pointing Fingers
Saturday, December 22, 2018 by Zach Hunter

          Lately I have been reading through the book of Job and I have to say, I am not a fan of his friends.  In the beginning they seemed decent enough; they wept for Job's misfortune and sat with him to comfort him, even tearing their clothes in sympathy.  Even their early conversations weren't that bad, mostly truthful while Job complained about how his life was going at that time. The only thing I could find wrong early on was his friend's assertion that Job had sinned and this was God's punishment.  

           As their talk goes on however they go from trying to comfort and council Job to outright slandering him and accusing him of being a wicked man in God's sight.  This is the point where Job begins to rebuke all of them. Job is still complaining about his life but as he explains the complaining is not to curse or speak out about God, in fact he reiterates almost ad nauseam about how just God is, but rather he complains to express how he is feeling instead of hiding his heart.

           Even in the midst of this complaining and explaining Job takes the time to tell God that He is just and that he (Job) will trust God no matter what. Job tells his friends that they are doing an absolutely terrible job of comforting him and points out how easy it is for them to say such things from the position they are in; they have not lost everything after all.  He then goes on to say that if he were in their position then he would be offering encouragement and comfort, not judgement and condemnation.

           The more I read Job the more I wonder; did Job's friends have some previous envy/hate for him or were they well meaning but misguided and ultimately very, very wrong.  On one hand Job's friends are torn up about his condition but on the other hand they seem to have nothing but accusations and vitriol for him. The honest truth is that I do not know however I would lean more towards yes than no.

           My reasoning is that the friends' attempts to comfort Job very quickly devolve into accusation of sin.  The more the discussion wears on the more anger is directed at Job and the more outlandish and damning the accusations get.  There is a moment where one of the friends accuses Job of oppressing widows and orphans. That kind of anger does not just come from nowhere.

           Satan likely used Job's friends to attack Job on an emotional level however I doubt that Satan possessed them and forced them to do his bidding; likely the Bible would mention that.  Instead I believe Satan simply prodded some existing flaws such as perceived offenses never forgiven or envy for Job's status as a wealthy man. By fanning those sparks into flames Satan could easily have turned Job's friends into his accusers.  

           This gives us two great reminders if I am correct; we need to check our own hearts or ask God to show us those little flaws inside us and just what makes sin so dangerous.  Sin is dangerous not because it is overtly trying to corrupt and destroy us though it is but because it is small and insidious. God comes as a whisper so why wouldn't sin? If you come at me with obvious intent to harm won't I defend myself or run away?  However if are able to more slyly act against me, such as say becoming my friend, gaining my trust then turning on me in a blindside, how do I defend against that? So it is with sin.

 

Share This Blog:


Comments

Cheryl Eaton From At 12/23/2018 7:34:57 AM

Well said

Previous Posts

TSH June Newsletter
Hannah Hunter

6/20/2024

What Cultural Mountain is Yours?
Hannah Hunter

6/1/2024

Good News for all creation
Hannah Hunter

5/18/2024

Iron Rod
Hannah Hunter

1/13/2024

Betrayed
Hannah Hunter

1/8/2024

War Paused
Hannah Hunter

12/23/2023

A Song of Hope
Hannah Hunter

12/16/2023

Home
Hannah Hunter

12/2/2023

Touchstone
Hannah Hunter

11/25/2023

earthquake and gentle breezes
Hannah Hunter

11/18/2023

Bulwark and Fortresses
Hannah Hunter

11/11/2023

Thanksgiving of November
Hannah Hunter

11/4/2023

Angels in Africa
Hannah Hunter

10/31/2023

Northern Gate of Africa
Hannah Hunter

10/31/2023

Fires of Revival
Hannah Hunter

10/31/2023

The Scepter and the Rod
Hannah Hunter

2/6/2023

The Secret Place
Zachary Hunter

2/2/2023

Labeling People as False Prophets
Hannah Hunter

1/24/2023

Healing Rifts
Hannah Hunter

1/16/2023

Expect Angel Visitations
Hannah Hunter

1/9/2023

January 2023 Newsletter
Hannah Hunter

1/5/2023

Human Perfected
Zachary J. Hunter

9/27/2021

Something Different
Zachary J. Hunter

8/28/2021

God's Movement Week 4
Zachary J. Hunter

8/10/2021

God's Movement Week 3
Zachary J. Hunter

7/31/2021

God's Movement Week 2
Zachary J. Hunter

7/24/2021

God's Movement Week 1
Zachary J. Hunter and Hannah S. Hunter

7/14/2021

Be the Change
Zachary J. Hunter

5/27/2021

Our Pledge and Declaration
Zachary J. Hunter

1/28/2021

The Cup of Iniquity
Zachary J. Hunter

1/15/2021

The Father's Heart
Zachary J. Hunter

1/6/2021

Joshua and Caleb
Zachary J. Hunter

12/31/2020

Elijah
Zachary J. Hunter

12/18/2020

How Important is Worship
Zachary J. Hunter

12/11/2020

Believe
Zachary J. Hunter

12/2/2020

Our Focus
Zachary J. Hunter

11/24/2020

Taking a Beating
Zachary J. Hunter

11/11/2020

2020: American Presidential Election and Aftermath
Zachary J. Hunter

11/4/2020

Daniel 10
Zachary J. Hunter

10/28/2020

Daniel 9 and What it Means.
Zachary J. Hunter

10/22/2020

Respect for God's Authority
Zachary J. Hunter

10/15/2020

What It is to be a Seeker?
Zach J Hunter

10/8/2020

Non-Debate
Hannah S. Hunter

9/30/2020

Odyssey Observations
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2020

Miracles in Motion
Hannah S. Hunter

8/27/2020

Unplug and Reset
Hannah S. Hunter

8/20/2020

Set Apart Not Aside
Hannah S. Hunter

8/12/2020

Did I Really Say That?
Hannah S. Hunter

8/6/2020

Silence, Stillness, Solitude, the Secret Place, and the Supernatural
Hannah S. Hunter

7/30/2020

Supernatural Season
Hannah S. Hunter

7/21/2020

tachycardia
Hannah S. Hunter

7/16/2020

Peaceful Protest
Hannah S. Hunter

7/6/2020

Piercings
Hannah S. Hunter

7/2/2020

Unshareable Glory
Hannah S. Hunter

6/24/2020

Ancient Roots
Hannah S. Hunter

6/16/2020

Perfect Love
Hannah S. Hunter

6/9/2020

Mountains Tossed into the Sea
Hannah S. Hunter

6/1/2020

Genesis of Nations
Hannah S. Hunter

5/26/2020

Torchbearers
Hannah S. Hunter

5/18/2020

Trilling and Aflutter
Hannah S. Hunter

5/12/2020

Mchungaji
Hannah S. Hunter

5/5/2020

Mountain Top to Mountain Top in Lockdown
Hannah S. Hunter

4/29/2020

Observations from the Shadows
Hannah S. Hunter

4/21/2020

He Called It! His Fast!
Hannah S.Hunter

4/13/2020

When Being Passed Over is Good
Hannah S. Hunter

4/7/2020

Alternate New Normal
Hannah S. Hunter

4/2/2020

Nor'easter Wheels Within Wheels
Hannah S. Hunter

3/24/2020

Stillness- the posture of Reshaping and Remolding
Hannah S. Hunter

3/17/2020

Dwelling in the Everlasting Flow
Hannah S. Hunter

3/10/2020

Godly Reprimand, Removal of Shame, and Redemptive Restoration
hannah hunter

3/3/2020

Essential Oil is Love
hannah hunter

2/25/2020

Going Into the Deeper....
hannah hunter

2/17/2020

Feet of Your Soul
Hannah Hunter

2/11/2020

Activating Our Children
hannah hunter

2/3/2020

Vigilant Observations
Hannah Hunter

1/28/2020

Commander in Chief
hannah hunter

1/21/2020

Heights of Hope
Hannah Hunter

1/16/2020

Shepherds Shielding in Storms
Hannah Hunter

12/12/2019

Shepherds Shielding in Storms
Hannah Hunter

12/12/2019

How did Jesus Celebrate His Birthday on Earth?
Hannah Hunter

11/27/2019

Paul and Pauline in this Season
Hannah Hunter

11/19/2019

A Day in the life of an Expat in Kenya
Hannah Hunter

11/11/2019

Conquerors in the Nest
Hannah Hunter

10/30/2019

A Look at Fear
Zach Hunter

2/22/2019

The Beauty of the Cross
Zach Hunter

2/15/2019

Turning Disgust into Grace
Zach Hunter

2/8/2019

Take My Faith
Tyler Robertson

1/12/2019

Love is really REALLY hard (but totally worth it)
Zach Hunter

1/5/2019

Is He Lost or Am I?
Tyler Robertson

12/29/2018

Pointing Fingers
Zach Hunter

12/22/2018

Sold Out Slaves
Tyler Robertson

12/15/2018

Stirring Deep Wells
Tyler Robertson

12/1/2018

Seasonal Suffering
Hannah Hunter

11/24/2018

God's Play Room
Hannah Hunter

11/17/2018

Voting Day
Hannah Hunter

11/10/2018

Homework
Tyler Robertson

11/3/2018

The Way
Tyler Robertson

10/21/2018

Battle Fronts
Tyler Robertson

10/6/2018

True Love
Tyler Robertson

9/22/2018

Mapacha "The Twins"
Hannah Hunter

9/15/2018

Venomous Snakes Thwarted
Hannah Hunter

9/10/2018

In His Arms
Hannah Hunter

9/1/2018

Follow Love’s Thread
Hannah Hunter

8/25/2018

Remanded Rest
Hannah Hunter

8/18/2018

Clueless Obedience
Hannah S. Hunter

8/11/2018

Same Old Days
Tyler Robertson

8/4/2018

A Child of Mine
Tyler Robertson

7/29/2018

He is I Am
Tyler Robertson

7/24/2018

Joy's Calm
Tyler Robertson

7/7/2018

The Dire Hour
Tyler Robertson

6/30/2018

Joyful Warriors for the Kingdom
Hannah Hunter

6/23/2018

Daughters of the Mountain
Tyler Robertson

6/16/2018

Daniel and Malicious Intent
Hannah Hunter

6/9/2018

Forge Me
Tyler Robertson

6/2/2018

Grieving Grace
Hannah Hunter

5/26/2018

His Revelation
Tyler Robertson

5/19/2018

Micaiah - I Stand With Him!
Hannah Hunter

5/12/2018

The Sense of God
Tyler Robertson

5/5/2018

Removing Junk from your Treasure Chest.
Hannah Hunter

4/28/2018

To know the pain.
Tyler Robertson

4/21/2018

Meeting my Maker
Tyler Robertson

4/14/2018

Stop! In the name of Love!
Tyler Robertson

4/7/2018

For Such a Time
Tyler Robertson

3/31/2018

Rejoice in the Fear!
Tyler Robertson

3/24/2018

In the Blood
Tyler Robertson

3/17/2018

Can't Fight the Need
Tyler Robertson

3/10/2018

In Everything
Tyler Robertson

3/3/2018

Let Freedom Ring
Tyler Robertson

2/24/2018

IT'S Coming.
Tyler Robertson

2/17/2018

Nailed It!
Tyler Robertson

2/10/2018

Complacency Kills
Tyler Robertson

2/3/2018

Measure of Faith
Tyler Robertson

1/27/2018

Darkest of Nights
Tyler Robertson

1/20/2018

Destination: Church Unknown
Hannah Hunter

1/13/2018

Peace 2018
Hannah Hunter

1/6/2018

Blessed Are the Servant Healers
Hannah Hunter

12/30/2017

Honoring HIS Wishes
Hannah S. Hunter

12/23/2017

How is Your Shine?
Lori Meed

12/16/2017

Beatrice-Bringer of Joy
Hannah S. Hunter

12/9/2017

Smooth Stones
Tyler Robertson

11/18/2017

Littered Valley
Tyler Robertson

11/11/2017

What Happened to the Church?
Tyler Robertson

11/4/2017

Antithesis of Rage
Hannah S. Hunter

10/28/2017

Truth Prevails
Hannah S. Hunter

10/21/2017

False Pretenses
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2017

Eye of the Needle
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2017

Wells Every Where
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Underestimated Army
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Third World Eyes
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Songs of Joy in Drudgery
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Spirit of Sanballat
Hannah S. Hunter

8/11/2017

Guardian in the Night
Hannah S. Hunter

8/11/2017

Sacredness from Kenya’s Wilderness
Hannah S. Hunter

7/11/2017

Pause
Hannah S. Hunter

11/7/2016

Perception, Prayers and Purpose
Hannah S. Hunter

11/7/2016

Tribes
Hannah S. Hunter

11/7/2016

Take Courage!
Hannah S. Hunter

10/21/2016

Kenya Elections 2017
Hannah S. Hunter

10/12/2016

Define Rest and Refuge
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Soaring or Sailing
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Life Threatening Worms
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Mapacha, The Twins, and Micronutrients
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Angel Awareness
Hannah S. Hunter

10/10/2016

When Seasons Come Too Early
Hannah S. Hunter

8/6/2016

RVP (Restoration Village Project) Kilgoris, Kenya
Hannah S. Hunter

6/15/2016

Kinsman Redeemer
Hannah S. Hunter

1/23/2016

Free Flow, Clarity, and Airlift
Hannah S. Hunter

1/16/2016

Synergy
Hannah S. Hunter

1/9/2016

Wilderness Base Camp
Hannah S. Hunter

1/2/2016

The General’s Tent – 2015 Posts
Hannah S. Hunter

12/29/2015

Control Held by None
Hannah S. Hunter

12/25/2015

Qualifications for Vessels of Honor
Hannah S. Hunter

12/19/2015