This study was first taught on February 8, 2011

Topic: Judge Not (2): The Example of Job’s Friends

No audio available for this study.

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Background
Last week, noting what the word ‘judge’ means; we saw that the Lord, is telling us not to sit as judge over a matter when we have not been conferred with the office of a judge; neither are we to pass judgment (either of commendation or condemnation) on others; nor are we to be critical of or criticize others. We also saw that the Lord is telling us not to render our personal opinions on someone or something as though that were God’s judgment on the matter.

We saw that since we may not have all the facts on a matter, we would be badly mistaken to judge others. Also, we saw that our judgment may indeed be subjective as we are likely to see things through our own imperfect prism. We further saw that if we go ahead and judge others, we will ourselves be judged with the same subjective yardstick, we have applied in judging others.

We concluded that critical and hypocritical judging gives rise to prejudices (biases or judging beforehand), and profiling (judging people based on race, nationality, ethnicity, tribe, and so on). They stem usually from our arrogance and pride, and thinking that everybody is wrong except those in our own little group. For instance, some believers would not be married to anyone who is not of their tribe. We also said that rather than judge others, we are to forgive those who offend us; make excuses for people’s faults; and leave matters in God’s hands and those He has entrusted with the office of ‘Judge’.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:1-2; Job 1:1-22; 2:1-13
Tonight, we shall take a look at the example of Job’s friends to drive home the point of not judging others especially when we do not have all the facts. We pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to appreciate the enormity of judging others wrongly, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Job had gone through a time of untold hardship and disaster. He had lost everything, including children, businesses, houses, servants, etc. Meanwhile, his friends who had come to commiserate with/console him, as we shall see, soon turned into judges.
Job 3:1; 4; 5; 6:1-4; 8; 11; 12:1-9; 15; 16:1-6; 18; 19:1-3; 20; 22; 25; 32:1-3; 42:7-11.

Conclusion
Going over the story of Job and his friends, we see how very wrong we can be when we sit as judge over others. Most times, we don’t know the genesis of their plight, but we jump right in anyway, and tell them how wrong they have been, and that they should go and ask forgiveness from God (1 Samuel 1:9-18).

Although Job’s friends were quoting Scripture correctly, their application of the scriptures to Job’s situation was incorrect. Eventually, God made known His displeasure against Job’s friends and asked them to repent, and see Job’s intercession on their behalf. How humbling!

Our example reiterates our earlier lesson: When you don’t have all the facts/information on a matter, “judge not”; and more essentially, when God has not given you information, give no opinions! With the benefit of hindsight, we know that Job’s condition was not the result of sin, but one of God proving to Satan that Job was not like other people who are worshipping Him because of protection or prosperity (John 9:1-3). How many times have we judged those whom God is showing off for His glory, just because they are going through hardships and unimaginable suffering?

We can also learn some significant lessons about coping with hardship:
1. Stop seeking sympathy from men; you just may get judgment instead.
2. It is a good thing to know when to stop defending yourself.
3. If you are not careful, you will yourself become judgmental, abusive, and self-justifying.

Is God speaking to us today? I believe He is.

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