Job 16:1-5

We rejoice with others in their good times and share in their grief in the bad. Empathy and compassion are attributes of God and we are living examples of His goodness and mercy.

A kind word turns away anger and hatred!

“We are at our best when the strong do not exploit the weak.” (Jon Meacham)

So. Where do we begin?
Allow me the freedom from ego.
Allow me to see NOT competition, but community.
Allow me to let go of any need for supremacy.
Allow me to know that connection is the true power.

Let us remember: No one of us is one this journey alone…

Job 16:1-5

16 Then Job answered and said: 2 “I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all! 3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? 4 I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you; 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief. The New King James Version

Eliphaz had not said anything new—Job already knows the traditional wisdom Eliphaz reiterated. Eliphaz implied that Job brought his suffering on himself by saying he conceived trouble. Ironically, Job uses the same Hebrew term Eliphaz used, amal, to refer to his friends as troublesome (or miserable). Rather than being comforters from God, Job’s friends only bring more pain. 

Job argues that if their roles were reversed, he would have more sympathy. If Job were acting as the comforter, he would use his words to strengthen and heal. Job expected much more sympathy from his friend. Job says his words are not able to bring comfort or strength to himself. Job attributes his suffering directly to God. Because Job is innocent of any wrongdoing, God has no reason to afflict him—contrary to Eliphaz’s claims. Faithlife Study Bible

Beginning with a rare direct allusion to what the previous speaker just said, Job belittles his friends as miserable comforters. To paraphrase Job: “Speaking of trouble, rather than comforting me in my troubles as a good counselor should, you have increased my trouble despite your claims to the contrary.” The phrase words of wind is a caustic comeback to Eliphaz’s words in Bildad’s. Both had twisted Job’s words. 

The phrase shake my head at you indicates a mocking posture. However, the word comfort, meaning “to nod the head sympathetically,” is used of the friends who came to console him. In effect, Job is saying: “Please nod your head with understanding instead of mocking and ridiculing me.” The NKJV Study Bible

Eliphaz had represented Job’s discourses as unprofitable, and nothing to the purpose; Job here gives his the same character. Those who pass censures, must expect to have them retorted; it is easy, it is endless, but what good does it do? Angry answers stir up men’s passions, but never convince their judgments, nor set truth in a clear light. What Job says of his friends is true of all creatures, in comparison with God; one time or other we shall be made to see and own that miserable comforters are they all. When under convictions of sin, terrors of conscience, or the arrests of death, only the blessed Spirit can comfort effectually; all others, without him, do it miserably, and to no purpose. Whatever our brethren’s sorrows are, we ought by sympathy to make them our own; they may soon be so. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’

Job 4:4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees;