SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE IS JUST WRONG

PROCLAMATION

“Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that He would open His lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides.  Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.”  Job 11:5-6 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

As Job continues to complain about his situation (Job 10:1-7) he then begins to plead with God to end his suffering and let him die. (Job 10:8-22)  After this his friend Zophar replies to him and reproves him.  He calls Job a man who just wants to hear himself speak and who presents falsehoods. (Job 11:1-4)  Zophar asks Job a series of rhetorical questions and then he says that he wishes God would speak and tell Job his sins. (Job 11:5-6)  He continues to question Job  and then he tells him that his life would be better if he would just repent of his sins and allow God to bless him. (Job 11:13-20)  To this Job replies and he reproves his friends. (Job 12:1-12)  Then Job tells them that he knows the power of God (Job 12:13-25) and continues to reprove them. (13:1-12)  Afterwards Job states, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15)  He continues to profess his innocence and begs The Lord God to tell what sins he has been charged with. (Job 13:18-28)

APPLICATION
No one wants to hear their friends call them a liar. (Job 11:3)  Our friends are supposed to tell us the truth, even when no one else will.  However, if they do not know the truth, they cannot share it.  Friendly advice is usually given with our best interest at heart; but if they do not know the whole story, their advice is likely to be wrong.  Unfortunately, some of our friends think that they know all the answers to our problems, but they cannot solve their own problems.  When we need help, it is best for us to turn to The Lord. (Psalm 46:1)  Only He has the power to help us. (Isaiah 41:13 and Matthew 28:18)  Trust not in man, (Psalm 146:3) trust in The Lord God. (Psalm 16:1)