Not only do we have the testimony of the Lord concerning Job in chapter 1 and 2 as well as the accusation of the adversary against him, we also have in chapter 4 the testimony of his friend (Eliphaz) who speaks of his reputation before the trial and we learn that Job was a man who used his words to strengthen the weak and to build people up!
Job 4:3
"Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands."
Eliphaz is testifying of his observations of Job and so in spite of the fact that he is ripping him to shreds with his words you can see he knows Job himself used his words for instruction and to build others up. This was Jobs reputation. God has respect for those who use their words to build people up. Eliphaz is not following the example of Job. It is true that for some days they remained silent comforting Job over his suffering but now they are going to buffet him with their words. Mankind is too fond of his opinions at times; he does not even make an attempt to restrain his words because he is too busy giving freely of his opinions. He is convinced people need to hear what he has to say; he can, at times feel as though his words are too important to restrain but the truth is that Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar did not have the word of the Lord, did not speak for him and were making Jobs trial more painful with their free opinions and philosophies. The older I get the less I am impressed with my own opinions and pray Lord, let me get it right and have the restraint to not have to speak if I am going to get it wrong or make the situation worse by my words. It really is a deep flaw in mans character to feel they have to speak and everyone would be wise to listen. There are those whose words carry such weight that you would do well to listen and the scriptures do tell us that there are those who speak for God but these dear ones exemplify meekness and do not force themselves on others or put themselves forth as the anointed ones. Jas 1:19-20 KJV 19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Pro 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" Isa 50:4 "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." Lets be like Job and use our words to instruct in kindness and to strengthen the weak hands.
Job 4:4
"Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees."
Eliphaz said Job, you have given encouragement to him that was falling and with your words you strengthened those who were weak; this is the kind of reputation Job had among his friends. We will be known for what we used our tongue for? Was it for good or was it for evil. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and we see that in Jobs mouth was the law of kindness, he was a man who used his words to encourage and strengthen those who needed a bit of help. Job made a difference in peoples lives with his words; we might rephrase what Eliphaz said this way: "You have upheld and strengthened him that was ready to fall by the words you spoke to him". His friends knew he was capable of strengthening the weak with his words, this was his reputation and Eliphaz knew this about Job. Are we using our words to strengthen a weak brother or sister or are we the type that will swoop down on the weak like a vulture and criticize them for their weakness. I have seen in the Church of Jesus Christ those who will verbally kick a man while he is down, who sees a person with a weakness and instead of coming into strengthen them will say such things as "I knew they would not make it" or "It was only a matter of time". I know there are those whose hearts are not drawn to obedience but to disobedience and they can be hypocritical in their walk. God has His ways of dealing with them as we see illustrated in Oba 1:4 KJV "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle (pretending to be overcomers), and though thou set thy nest among the stars (pretending to be saints), thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." but there are men and women who do love the Lord and yet because of a weakness in their lives have trouble staying on the path. They need much encouragement from the mature saints, they need to be strengthened by others until they get their feet under them and can stand on their own. Lets ask God for words that will uphold people, words that even when we are not aware of it helps people. I have benefited myself over the many decades with people whom God used to strengthen me and they do not even know it. May this type of help exude from us and when we know a brother or sister needs help lets be the one who strengthens them with our words and upholds them.
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