Page 51 - Job

If it is real, it is going to stick through thick and thin, even though in Job
16:2, Job calls these friends “miserable comforters”, or the New
American Standard Bible calls them “Sorry comforters are you all.” He
was not happy with these men, but as Morgan points out, at least they
came. At least they came to see him and to sympathize with him. So I
suppose we should credit them for that.
The second thing G. Campbell says is that they shut up for seven days and
seven nights. They sat in silence. Verse 13: “Then they sat down on the
ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one
speaking a word to him.” I do not know why they sat for seven days and
seven nights. Perhaps it is because seven days and seven nights was the
official Bible time for mourning the dead. Maybe they thought he was
right on the brink of death. You get that from Genesis chapter 1, verse 10,
and also First Samuel 31:13.
We often say or think something like this. I hope I said the right thing. I
hope I didn’t say the wrong thing. Well, it is a lot deeper than saying the
right thing or saying the wrong thing. It is a special work of grace that
makes us say nothing at all and keep our mouths shut. I like First
Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.” If you
have the King James it says, “Study to be quiet.” It is not easy to be
quiet. “Study to be quiet.” Unseasonable words are often an aggravation
and an abrasive acid inside the wound of those who are suffering. And so
we need to walk softly before the Lord. Silence in the will of God may be
a great balm of healing.
I am convinced that for every Christian who needs to trust God for
boldness to speak, at least ten Christians need to trust God for the grace to
shut up. I believe you will find that to be true. That is a great proof of
God’s grace. One reason that it is an illustration of grace is that it goes
against our nature to be quiet. Morgan points out that they ought to be
praised for that. Being silent in the will of God is a mighty work of God.

However, it didn’t last too long. Seven days and seven nights. For
example, look at chapter 13:4 and 5. Here is Job’s estimation.
“But you smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. O that
you would be completely silent, and that it would become your
wisdom!”

He said I appreciate that you were silent for seven days, but I wish you
never said a word. Oh, if you would only be completely silent because
you are worthless physicians. So even though it did not last long, I guess

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