Passage Read: Job 17-20
Meditation Verse: 20:3
Thought
This is so great! All Job's friends heard were reproofs which insulted them. They didn't hear what Job was actually saying, all they heard was that he was rejecting their words and insulting them in the process. That gives them even more evidence that Job was in the wrong. They came, amazed at his suffering, and were convinced that there was no other explanation but that Job had sinned in some incredible way. They didn't ask if they were correct; the evidence was undeniable. It was never a question of had Job sinned, but what sin had Job hidden so well all these years? If they had but heard what Job was saying and given him the benefit of the doubt, they would not have been insulted, and they would not have attacked Job "these ten times."
Application
It is so easy to go into a situation with preconceived analysis that I'm sure is so right. That's dangerous. When the person I want to help tells me my initial understanding is incorrect, do I hear it? Or do I consider him a liar, seeking to cover his tracks? And the more I ignore him, the more he pushes back. Does that generate an ever-increasing cycle of negative feedback, further cementing his sin in my eyes? If I want to help someone, first I need to make sure my facts are correct. I cannot judge based on my gut feeling or my assessment of the situation without his input. And my assessment of his testimony should be based on the proven character I already know him to have. I need to go to listen, not to prove myself correct. Otherwise, we'll always be taking past each other, instead of actually helping each other. And the situation will just grow worse.