So, lay he there, this man of God, with ashes for his bed.
Contemplating in his heart from whence did come his dread.
And whether more would come his way from sources yet unknown…
Not knowing that his bitter plight had come straight from the throne.
On looking from the outside in, ‘tis hard to realize
The state of mind our man was in, so hopeless were his cries.
But even more, ‘twas hard for such a holy man to see
That yet his greatest trial would come straight from his best friends, three.
Now, to be fair, ‘tis safe to say his friends all meant him well.
They traveled far, from distant lands, his pain in hopes to quell.
Motives surely pure of heart, they came to where he lay;
And sat in perfect sympathy for seven perfect days.
‘twas at the end of those long days Job took up his lament,
To curse the day that he was born among the days of men.
“Why did the knees receive me? … and why the breasts did nurse?
“Oh, why not perish in the womb or simply die at birth?”
As often is the case in which the sympathizer tries
To sit and listen patiently and truly sympathize,
But mind and will and selfish judgment often take their root…
And fleshly wisdom seems so wise like oh such precious fruit.
So, at the end of one long week where healing silence reigned,
The three friends loosened up their tongues as Job recoiled in pain.
“If one attempts a word with you, will you become too drained?
But who can keep from speaking,” Job’s friend Eliphaz exclaimed.
“Each little child is taught from birth that evil does not pay.
The righteous prove their righteous worth on each and every day.
‘tis clear to us that though your past was right and great and strong,
You’ve let sin reign inside your heart and turned from right to wrong.”
“If only you would change your heart and turn from evil ways,
The Lord would surely hear, and heal, and bless your latter days.”
And so it was with many words his friends all made their plea,
For our great man to turn his heart and from his evil flee.
Yet, through it all, our hero Job maintained his righteous heart,
And carried forward his lament, despising every dart.
“For arrows of the Almighty are piercing to my breast;
“My spirit drinks their poison strong, deep within my chest.
“For I have not concealed His words – those of the Holy One.
“What strength now do I have to hope, my life to then prolong?
“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, my troubles on the scales!
“Heavier than sand of the sea,” said he, so weak and pale.
“My flesh is caked with worms and dust, my cracked skin breaks afresh.
“My days are swift and without hope… my life is but a breath!”
“To him who is afflicted so, great kindness should be shown…
“Yet brothers deal deceitfully, friends throwing heavy stones.”
And as Job spoke, great haughtiness within his friends’ hearts grew,
While with their haughty spirit, came some angry thoughts anew.
“You must repent,” his friends insisted, peering in his eyes.
‘twas both Bildad and Zophar then responding to his cries.
But rather than responding to accusatory words,
Our hero chose to speak instead directly to his Lord.
“I’ll give free course to my complaint in bitterness of soul.
“I’ll say, ‘Do not condemn me,’” off his tongue, the words did roll;
“Oh, show why You contend with me. Does it seem good to You,
“That You’d oppress, and so despise the work You chose to do?
“And smile upon the counsel of the wicked,” questioned he;
“Do You have eyes of flesh? Or do You see as man doth see?”
“Are Your days and years like days of mortal, mighty men?
“That You seek my iniquity and search out all my sin,
“Although You surely know that I am not a wicked man,
“With no one to deliver me out of Your forceful hand?”
And so, with many words and thoughts continued their exchange.
Throughout this long and harsh debate, his plea, it never changed.
Yet, buried in their long discourse came words of hope rebirthed;
“I know that my Redeemer lives; He’ll stand upon the earth.”
“And when my body has decayed, in body, God I’ll see!
Yes, I will see him with my eyes; the thought, it consumes me!”
Job’s final pleas of protest spoke of righteous innocence;
He made his plea to righteous God, with message strong and tense.
He laid his case before the Lord; Job argued for the best;
And after all his arguments, he brought his case to rest.
“I made a promise with my eyes – not to look with lust.
“For what has holy righteous God above chosen for us?
“And what is our inheritance from Almighty on high?
“Is’t not disaster for the foul but not for such as I?
“Does he not see both what I do and every step take I?
“Have I deceived a single soul, or am I known to lie?
“Let God weigh me on the scales; he knows my honesty.
“If I have strayed from his pathway, then let Him punish me.”