Comforting the Grieving

When Job’s three friends… heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (Job 2:11-13)

I’ve always marveled at this example of friendship. They came to him, wept over his situation, and demonstrated solidarity with him for an entire week through torn clothes and dust on their heads. But I’ve also wondered what was going on in their minds during that week of silence. Not content to simply be with their friend in his pain, they felt compelled to provide answers explaining why it happened, ultimately blaming Job and causing him even greater pain.

Listen below to hear Kevin and Ali Finniear’s talk where they explore the way Jesus loves those who are grieving, looking at John 11:17-37 and the way he cared for Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died.

Please find the link to the talk below.

https://soundcloud.com/user-779559513/4th-december-22