Homilist Job 2:13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him… Here is a demonstration of true friendship. Note the way in which these friends at first endeavoured to comfort Job. They did not speak. I. SILENCE IS THE STRONGEST EVIDENCE OF THE DEPTH OF OUR SYMPATHY TOWARDS A SUFFERING FRIEND. 1. The comforting power of a friend lies in the depth of his sympathy. 2. Silence is a better expression of deep sympathy than speech. II. SILENCE IS MOST CONSISTENT WITH OUR IGNORANCE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE TOWARDS OUR SUFFERING FRIEND. How little we know of God's procedure in the affairs of human life: So long as these friends kept silence they acted as comforters; but as soon as they launched into speech they became Job's tormentors. III. SILENCE IS MOST CONGENIAL WITH THE MENTAL STATE OF OUR SUFFERING FRIEND. The soul in deep sorrow seeks silence and solitude. Mere word-condolers are soul- tormentors. Then be silent in scenes of sorrow; overflow with genuine sympathy, but do not talk. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. |
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