Job Chapter 12. Encourage others, Please!
We see a repeated message in this chapter. Job confronts the wisdom of his three friends. They speak with arrogance and lack of knowledge while they insist their wisdom is that of God. Job also, again, confronts the notion that only the righteous one's are blessed while only the ones who do evil suffer in pain.
This is a reminder to me of how important it is to come alongside someone who is suffering so we can encourage them verses looking down upon others as if we are better than they are. Because one day we too will face heart-wrenching circumstances and the last thing we need is to hear how awful we are. We will want to be encouraged.
1st Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build each other up.”
Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart but a kind word cheers it up.”
When misfortune falls on us it's easy to get discouraged and even depressed. It's during these times we need to be encouraging to others and say words that build them up and not tear them down. They are already at a low point, so why say words that will discourage them and put them in deeper depression or dismay?
Galatians 6:2 says, to “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
The only way to do that is to come alongside others as if you are an equal to them versus coming with arrogance as if you are above them.
Job makes it clear in this chapter and again in the next one as he tells his three friends that what they know, he also knows. He puts them in their place by reminding them that he isn’t inferior to them, but it is God who makes all things happen whether they understand why or not.
Take a look at Romans 11:33.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!
Job’s friends think they have this all figured out. This is something I pray about continually – to not judge others in my limited knowledge – but rather to accept them in love and try to encourage them as I would want to be if I were walking in their shoes at that moment. In our worst trials, the Lord works things out so we come through with some knowledge or experience that He wants us to have. As believers, He is always with us in the trial. That’s a wonderful treasure to hang on to.