Job 12

People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling.

(Job 12:5)

Here we see Job’s response to his third friend, Zophar. Job tells him that there is really no difference between Job and the others. They are all sinners, and they are all equal. Job just happens to be the one suffering right now, so he makes an easy target for these guys.

Job describes these guys and their behavior like this: You’re at ease and I am in trouble; so you mock me. He goes on and says that they are like people who push someone down when they are stumbling. Imagine how you would feel if you tripped and as you tried to regain your balance your friend pushed you to the ground. It’s a bit like our expression “kicking them when they are down”.

The Bible tells us that we should “Raise up the hands that are hanging down and strengthen the feeble knees”. It also says that if a “brother is overtaken in a fault, those who are spiritual should RESTORE such a one in a spirit of GENTLENESS”. There is no gentleness here from Jobs friends, and no restoration. Instead of strengthening him and raising him up, they pile burdens on him and weigh him down.

May verse 5 not be true of our lives… may we love and encourage those experiencing trouble while we are at rest. May we offer a helping hand to those who stumble. May all that we do be done in LOVE.