Many of us are familiar with the book of Job in the Bible and the account that unfolds over each chapter regarding the great loss he endured and the physical affliction he struggled with. But what stands out almost as shocking is the description of Job’s wife and her actions in response to her husband’s affliction and the loss they shared as parents.
Job’s wife could have prayed for him, encouraged him, interceded for him by getting help on his behalf, or even defending him in front of his friends. But she didn’t. She instead chose to act without compassion, without kindness, without love – even going so far as to tell him, “curse your God and die.”
Job 2:9, “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold firm your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Wow! Do we act like that to our spouse when they are sick or going through trials and tribulations in this life? Maybe we don’t use those exact words, but do we tell him he’s pathetic? Do we tell him he’s a sorry excuse for a man, worthless, or a drama king, or that he should just give up?
Or do we allow our self to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and suppress fleshly thoughts and seek God and seek intervention on our husband’s behalf?
I often ponder why Job’s wife spoke those words to her husband in his time of need. Matthew 12:34 tells us the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Her heart was not right. She didn’t remember or maybe didn’t believe the truth about God found in His Word.
2 Chronicles 20:9, “If evil comes upon us, the sword of judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you, for your name is in this house, and we will cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save!”
Her husband tried to remind her that God is always in control, no matter our circumstances. In Job 2:10, he said to her, “You are speaking as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?”
Sometimes though, even when we know God’s Word, we choose to ignore it and instead yield to our emotions and speak what is foolish. If we’re honest, we can probably relate to Job’s wife in some circumstances. I know when I get stressed, I’ve noticed a common reason behind it. It’s usually because I either can’t control the world around me or can’t manage the things going on in my own life. Foolish outbursts often come from anger in the heart and mind toward God because we know He’s the only One in control. We question why He allows certain things to happen when we know full well He has the ability to prevent them. We feel sorry for others who endure trials and afflictions, but when they fall on our household we sometimes have a different response.
Even though we are not able to control everything in our lives, God is still in control. He is still on the throne. He did not fall asleep on the job. He did not take a vacation and miss the attack on our life. He always knows what’s going on and He has the ability to use it for our good and His glory!
We throw around Romans 8:28 a lot, but we seem to ignore that one little word stuck in the middle of that verse: “all” (things). This includes the bad right along with the good.
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Job’s wife seemed to lack many things in her weak moment, like faith, compassion, and obedience.
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.”
Faith is trusting God with the outcome when we cannot even see where our next step will be. It’s hard to step out in obedience when we don’t know exactly what will happen and when, but we must have faith that God will bring everything together according to His will.
Compassion is a desire to suffer together with those who are hurting and afflicted. We aren’t merely called to feel sorry for people and then go on our way. We are called to care about them so much that we not only seek to alleviate their physical struggles and hardship, but also to intercede for them in prayer to the One who can comfort them and help them in a way that we cannot.
Many people don’t see the purpose of life. They struggle to understand the meaning of their lives. When we encounter these individuals, we need to remind them we are all here for a purpose, and there is hope and peace and purpose to be found in Christ.
As believers, we look forward to the new, perfect bodies that will exist in heaven. They will not get tired or sore or wear out.
Revelation 21:4, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
As believers, we are reminded this is not our home. We are just passing through. There is more to come and being with Christ is our hope!
Philippians 3:20-21, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
As we struggle at times in this life, I pray we focus on Christ, stay in His Word, always seeking His help and intervention in our circumstances. Cling to Him and His Word and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.”