Sermon: Job 16 — When Earthly Comfort Fails, Heaven Still Hears
For Georgesbibleministries.com
Scripture: Job 16:19–21 (KJV)
“Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!”
There are times when the heart is so heavy that words cannot explain the pain. We look for someone to understand, someone to sit beside us, someone to remind us that we have not been forgotten.
Job needed such comfort. He had lost his children, his possessions, and his health. Then the friends who came to comfort him began accusing him.
They believed his suffering must reveal some hidden wickedness. Yet the reader knows from the opening chapters that their explanation was wrong.
In Job 16, we hear a wounded man answering those who have added to his sorrow. But through his tears, we also hear a remarkable expression of hope:
“My witness is in heaven.”
1. Be careful that your words do not deepen another person’s wounds
“I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.” — Job 16:2
What a sorrowful description of people who had come to help!
Job’s friends had words, arguments, and opinions. What they lacked was understanding. They were so determined to explain his suffering that they failed to comfort the sufferer.
We must take this warning to heart. When someone is grieving, struggling, or facing illness, we should not rush to explain why it has happened.
We do not know every burden they carry. We do not know every prayer they have prayed. We certainly do not know all the purposes of God.
There is a time to speak truth, but truth must be spoken with love. An assumption does not become truth simply because we say it confidently.
Before we speak, let us ask: Will these words strengthen this person? Have I listened enough to understand?
Sometimes the most helpful words are simple: “I am here. I am listening. Let us pray together.”
2. Use your strength to support the weak
Job tells his friends what he would seek to do if their positions were reversed:
“But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.” — Job 16:5
The word asswage means to ease or lessen. Job says he would use his words to ease their grief.
Here is a challenge for every Christian. What do our words do to others?
Do they give courage to the weary? Do they help the fallen seek restoration? Do they remind the brokenhearted of the mercy of God?
Or do they leave people feeling smaller, lonelier, and more ashamed?
We cannot always remove another person’s trouble, but we can help them carry it. We may be unable to change their circumstances, yet we can show them the kindness of Christ within those circumstances.
A visit, a meal, a listening ear, or a quiet prayer may become a precious expression of God’s care.
The suffering person before us is someone to love, even when we cannot explain their suffering.
3. Bring your anguish honestly before God
As the chapter continues, Job describes his suffering in painful language. He feels crushed, torn, and made a target.
These words reveal how deeply he hurts. They do not give us a complete account of God’s intentions.
Job cannot see what the reader has seen in the opening chapters. He does not understand why these troubles have come. He feels as though God has turned against him.
Perhaps you have known something of that confusion. You have prayed, but the burden remains. You have sought to walk faithfully, yet trouble has come to your door.
Faith does not require you to pretend that pain is pleasant. The Bible contains tears, questions, and cries of distress. We may bring our anguish reverently and honestly before the Lord.
Job says:
“My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.” — Job 16:20
Notice where his tears go: unto God.
Even while struggling to understand God, Job continues turning towards Him.
When you cannot form a polished prayer, bring the prayer you have. When words fail, you can still come before the Lord with tears.
4. Earthly judgment does not have the final word
“Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.” — Job 16:19
His friends have reached their verdict, but Job appeals beyond their judgment. He longs for a heavenly witness who knows the truth about him.
People can misunderstand your circumstances. They can mistake weakness for failure and sorrow for a lack of faith. They may hear part of your story and imagine they know the whole of it.
But God knows what people cannot see.
He knows the heart. He knows the hidden struggle. He knows whether an accusation is true.
This should bring both comfort and humility. We can entrust ourselves to His judgment, and we must remember how limited our judgment of others can be.
Job was not claiming to be sinless. He was rejecting the false charge that the terrible things happening to him proved the wicked life his friends imagined.
We should examine ourselves honestly before God while refusing to treat every human accusation as His verdict.
5. Job’s longing directs our thoughts towards Christ
“O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!” — Job 16:21
Job longs for someone to plead his case. His earthly friends have failed him. He needs an advocate.
Reading this as Christians, our thoughts turn to Jesus Christ. Job does not yet express the full understanding given in the New Testament, but his longing helps us appreciate what Christ has done.
“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John 2:1
Jesus understands rejection, false accusation, suffering, and sorrow. He is also the righteous Saviour who gave Himself for our sins and rose again.
Our hope before God rests in Him. We come trusting His mercy and His finished work, rather than presenting our own goodness as sufficient.
If you are burdened by guilt, turn to Christ in repentance and faith. If you are weary with suffering, draw near to the One who understands.
Our Advocate is also our compassionate High Priest. Through Him, we may come to God for mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
6. Let the shortness of life move you to kindness today
Job closes the chapter conscious that his earthly life is passing away:
“When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.” — Job 16:22
His words give urgency to his appeal. He wants to be heard while he is still alive.
We, too, have a limited opportunity to love and serve.
Speak encouragement while someone can hear it. Visit while there is still time. Offer help while the burden is being carried.
It is good to speak kindly about someone after they have died. It is precious to show that kindness while they are living.
Someone near you may be carrying a sorrow they have never fully explained. Ask the Lord to make you attentive, patient, and willing to help.
An appeal to the heart
Job 16 asks us to consider both how we suffer and how we respond to those who suffer.
If you are hurting, bring your grief to God. Your questions need not silence your prayers. Keep turning towards Him, even through tears.
If you are standing beside someone who is hurting, listen carefully. Let compassion guide your words. Ask God for the wisdom to strengthen them.
And let us all look to Jesus Christ, the righteous Advocate who welcomes those who come to God through Him.
When earthly comfort fails, heaven still hears.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to comfort those who suffer. Forgive us for the times we have judged too quickly or spoken without love. Give us patient hearts, listening ears, and words that strengthen the weary.
For those who feel misunderstood and alone, grant Your comfort and sustaining grace. Teach us to bring our tears honestly before You and to trust You when we cannot understand.
Thank You for Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Advocate. Help us to rest in Him and show His compassion to others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For Georges Web Ministries
16 October 2016
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