Know how to listen

"Oh ! if I had someone to listen to me !" Job 31. 35

"Job, please, listen to what I say, and listen to all my words." Job 33. 1

The book of Job is arid at first reading ; One sometimes has the impression of attending a palaver and one finds it difficult to discover in what way the words of his three friends can comfort Job (2. 11). Proof of this is our first verse: after listening to his friends during long chapters, Job feels that they have understood nothing of his trial and his pain ; in fact they regard his trials as God's punishment for mistakes he has managed to hide from men. Job feels wrongly accused, he reacts with bitterness and anger at his "friends" who add the suffering of injustice to that of catastrophes.

Then comes Elihu, a fourth friend, younger than the other three. He knew how to stop his impatience to speak ; he listened attentively to the long speeches before. Noting the failure of the dialogues, he is about to speak. Despite the anger that animates him, he shows kindness : "Job, please, listen." Elihu feels that the priority is to calm Job's exasperation and he does so tactfully : "I pray you". Then he specifies that he will not express his own feelings, but that he will let himself be led by the Spirit of God. Then he associates himself with Job in his weakness with respect to God : "I am like you as for God, I am made of clay, too" (33. 6).

The "annoying comforters" (16. 2) are silent and Job no longer tries to justify himself, Elihu can now turn everyone's eyes to God. He thus prepares the moment when God himself will intervene in the debate. Patience, respect, tact, humility, submission to the Spirit, all these qualities announce Jesus, who, centuries later, as Son of Man, will manifest them to perfection.

How many men, women, young people, sick people, refugees, distraught people around us, feel misunderstood and want us to listen to them ! Let's take the time to listen, a lot of time ! Then the one whose ear is not tired to hear (Isaiah 59: 1) will give us the opportunity to speak.

The LORD listened to each of Job's three friends, listened to Job in his many aftershocks, listened to Elihu. Nothing escaped him, he is patient. Let us also be silent, so that God may make his voice heard.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)