A congregational study of the Book of Job. By Pastor Jose Luis
Session Five. Read Job 2, 11-13
How long was Job suffering in silence? His friends arrived after weeks, maybe months, so Job had time to meditate on his condition and experienced its full effects. The three friends wanted to comfort his friend but when they contemplated his suffering they started mourning:
“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. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights.” (v. 12-13a)
The friends decided to wait in silence grieving for his friend Job that looked like a dead man. Maybe they were waiting for Job to speak before venturing to try to say any word to comfort him.
The passage says:
“no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” (v. 13b)
The key word here is silence in front of suffering. Silence, when you experience suffering and disgrace. Job has no words to express his pain, and his friends have no words to comfort him. All are staying in silencecontemplating each other. Is silence an answer in times of suffering? Can you talk when you suffer? Do you find words to share when you contemplate others experiencing great suffering? Is silence the best answer when suffering is immense?
How do you apply this passage to this moment in your faith journey? Tell me your impressions. pastor@lcostampa.org