Opinions and Conclusions

When Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place … They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.—Job 2:11 ESV

Through the book of Job, we learn much about Job himself. We learn about his background, his relationship with God, the ways he was tested, and all he learned. We also learn much about God Himself.

But central to this book are the contributions of Job’s friends, each of whom interacted with Job in personal ways. We read their individual perspectives on life and their own explanations for the cause of Job’s problems and what they believed he should do.

Their exchanges remind us of people we encounter in our daily lives, the words we hear in the media, and debates about politics. We hear gossip, rumors, and how they develop. The opinions of these friends symbolize theological arguments and the various perspectives that develop about the Bible and the nature of our faith.

Ultimately, the observations of these friends remind us of how easy it can be to develop opinions and justify our conclusions. But they also remind us why it is so important to know God’s Word, be sure about His principles, commit every situation to Him, and humbly seek His definitive perspective.

Remember that it can be easy to have opinions and develop conclusions that make sense to you. But as the end of the book of Job reminds us, the key is remembering the sovereignty of God. His perspective is always right. His views are the only ones that really matter.

Reflection Question: How are you seeking God’s wisdom daily?