Topical Bible: Compassion and Sympathy: Job

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The Book of Job, one of the poetic books of the Old Testament, provides profound insights into the themes of compassion and sympathy, particularly in the context of suffering and divine justice. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), becomes the central figure in a narrative that explores the depths of human suffering and the responses it elicits from those around him.

Job's Suffering and the Initial Response

Job's trials begin with the loss of his wealth, children, and health, a series of calamities permitted by God to test his faithfulness. Despite his immense suffering, Job initially responds with remarkable faith, declaring, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). This response highlights Job's deep trust in God's sovereignty, even amidst personal tragedy.

The Role of Job's Friends

The arrival of Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—marks a significant development in the narrative concerning compassion and sympathy. Initially, they exhibit genuine sympathy, as they "sat down with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights. No one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great" (Job 2:13). This silent companionship reflects an understanding of the power of presence in comforting the afflicted.

However, as the dialogues unfold, the friends' approach shifts from sympathy to accusation. They argue that Job's suffering must be a result of sin, urging him to repent. Eliphaz, for instance, suggests, "Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where were the upright destroyed?" (Job 4:7). This perspective, rooted in a retributive understanding of justice, fails to offer true compassion, as it overlooks the complexity of Job's situation and the possibility of innocent suffering.

Job's Plea for Understanding

Throughout the dialogues, Job consistently pleads for understanding and compassion. He laments the lack of empathy from his friends, stating, "My brothers are as faithless as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow" (Job 6:15). Job's desire for genuine sympathy is evident as he seeks someone who will acknowledge his integrity and the inexplicable nature of his suffering.

Job's discourse also reveals his longing for divine compassion. He cries out, "Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me" (Job 19:21). This plea underscores the human need for empathy and support from both God and others during times of distress.

God's Response and Restoration

The climax of the Book of Job occurs when God Himself responds to Job out of the whirlwind. While God's response does not provide a direct explanation for Job's suffering, it reveals the majesty and wisdom of the Creator, inviting Job to trust in His divine purposes. God's intervention ultimately leads to Job's restoration, as He commands the friends to offer sacrifices and have Job pray for them, acknowledging Job's righteousness (Job 42:7-9).

In the end, Job's fortunes are restored, and he is blessed with even greater prosperity than before (Job 42:10-17). This restoration serves as a testament to God's compassion and faithfulness, affirming that while human understanding of suffering may be limited, God's purposes are ultimately good and just.

Conclusion

The Book of Job offers a profound exploration of compassion and sympathy in the face of suffering. It challenges simplistic notions of retributive justice and calls for a deeper understanding of empathy, both from human companions and from God. Through Job's account, believers are reminded of the importance of offering genuine compassion and support to those in distress, trusting in God's ultimate wisdom and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 30:25
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christian Sympathy
... In the two questions of my text Job claims something ... them, have yet exhibited bowels
of compassion to the ... publicans and harlots can exhibit sympathy, how much ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

Job's Sure Knowledge
... and upright man before God has to ask for sympathy. ... HE, who was far greater than
Job, ran back thrice ... us to try and possess bowels of compassion towards those ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/jobs sure knowledge.htm

The Incarnation.
... Job is not alone in his painful and baffling search after God. ... and thought little
of injuring and disobeying, has through compassion and sympathy with us ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/i the incarnation.htm

Footnotes:
... {9} Job 13:5 ... and which he has absurdly mistaken for the whole of compassion; if there ...
was furthest from his thoughts"namely, of a mutual sympathy between each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/footnotes .htm

Sight Given to the Blind.
... But in Job's case it was sent because he was already ... out all that is best in human
nature"sympathy, self-denial, gentleness, compassion, forgiveness of ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xx sight given to the.htm

The Law of the Lord.
... accusing Satan, who asks in the book of Job""Doth Job serve God ... shewing love, and
mercy, and miracles of healing, and sympathy and compassion for every ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon x the law of.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... not afford him any comfort, but rather aggravated his grief, Job insisted upon ... many,
who seem to have no higher motives, than sympathy or compassion for the ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... he cannot but melt with tender compassion when he ... his heavenly Friend could he have
learned this sympathy? ... the seventy-third Psalm, or of Job and Ecclesiastes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

The Sorrowful Man's Question
... one such individual, let us all feel sympathy for him ... us the reason why he does it
Job's friend Elihu ... with boundless grace and infinite compassion; but, mark ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/the sorrowful mans question.htm

2 Cor. v. 1
... shut up in darkness, we are moved with compassion, we shudder ... and though it should
be Noah, or Job, or Daniel ... For even natural sympathy too comes then to be done ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily x 2 cor v.htm