Title Mistaken Gap/Job 11:1-6
Content Job 11:1-6
misspelled goblin
Even in a society of godly faith, there are some differences of opinion, and in the process, misunderstandings arise and quarrels often arise. In some cases, the degree is excessive and antagonism occurs. Of course, it is undesirable for believers to do so, and especially since it causes great harm to the church, we must be very careful.
However, as recorded in the text, the attacks thrown by <Zophar> the Naamanite without even understanding Job's condition are serious and give us a lot of insight.
Zophar in the text is presumed to be the youngest of Job's friends, but he was an ardent principleist. So, too, rather than comforting Job, he accuses Job of arrogance that justifies him as innocent. Hearing Job's argument, Zophar drives Job away with intense emotions. In verse 2, he says that Job is a liar who tries to silence his friends with brazen lies, and he sees him as an abomination trying to justify and hide the sin hidden behind Job's suffering. In addition, they rebuke him by saying things that Job did not say, so God condemns and rebukes him and urges him to understand God deeply. It asserts that God's punishment, who knows all human sins, is lighter than Job's iniquity.
Focusing on the words of today's text, I will try to think of the lessons he gives us by considering the errors in Sobal's argument.
##### 1. Sobal's argument was based on a distorted prejudice
His friend Sobal began to spit out wildly harsh words. 'talk too much.' He criticizes Job with several words such as 'the mouth is puffy', 'there is a lot of pride', and 'do not ridicule' (verses 1-3). From the outset, he condemned Job as a cheeky hypocrite, yet he denounced him as a disguise with plausible words.
Dear saints!
Once you bend or change your perspective, everything looks distorted. It's like looking at the other side while wearing refracted glasses. Even a good person will look wrong once and will continue to do so.
There is an old saying, “Chwimo-myeonja”. It refers to forcibly exposing the faults of others. This statement emphasizes the fact that it is important to know how sincere the other person's words are, but it's more important to listen to them.
Instead of looking at the faults of others, let's live a life that covers the faults of others.
##### 2. Sobal's plea was an exaggerated plot
Sobal further increases the strength of Gongbak. See verse 4 of the text. <You say that my way is pure, and I am clean in your sight.>
Of course, we may be able to give advice in good faith with affection for the self-righteous beliefs and actions of the other party. However, it is easy to inflict serious damage on the other party if it goes beyond the advice and becomes a public accusation and even an exaggerated plot. Behavior that hurts others is to be avoided.
--Actually, in the society we live in, we don't know how many people are suffering because of this, because the wrong words are flying like arrows. Of course, it must happen in the corners of the world where hatred is rampant, but at least in the Holy Church, it should not happen.
So in Colossians 4:6 the Apostle Paul says: “Let your words always be in grace, seasoned with salt.”
Let's not make exaggerated slander. I hope that we will become those of us who speak good words to praise others.
##### 3. Sobal took the seat of the judge himself.
Zophar continues to refute in verse 6, saying, “God’s punishment is lighter than your sins.” In a way, this statement also reveals a side of the truth. This is because the sinful nature of man is so corrupt that it is insufficient to receive any kind of discipline. It is thanks to God's grace that < He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities > (Psalm 103:10) that we are able to enjoy life every day despite our many transgressions.
However, the situation is completely different when Zophar attacked Job with these words. Job's suffering was not the reward for a particular crime, and besides, Zophar was no better than Job.
--You can fall into the evil of seeing someone suffer and judging it as the fault of his hidden sin and condemning it.
In fact, we are well aware of the tragedy in which the medieval church held so-called Inquisitions in the name of Christ, burning countless believers in good faith. We are all equally vulnerable brothers. It should be remembered that there is only one Judge.
Dear saints!
A good word becomes a medicine and saves a person, but some words become a blade and kill a person. Sobal's gongbak in the text could not but be a sharp blade that reveals more painful areas. This is a misfortune caused by not understanding the other side properly. Therefore, before giving advice to the other party, we should look at our own faults and try to show the glory of God by trying to have understanding. I pray in the name of the Lord that our lives will be a life of understanding, comfort, and encouragement for others, so that the glory of the Lord is revealed through me.