THE CUSTODIANS OF WISDOM
“No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with
you!”
Job 12:2 (NKJV)
READ: Job 12:1–6
Teasingly, Job started his words by telling his friends that they are the ones in possession of wisdom and it would die with them. In other words, Job was telling them that they were the custodians of wisdom and it would die with them.
Job said that because they were trying to blame him, asserting that he must have done evil and that is why God allowed what had happened to him (Job 4:7,8; 8:3,4).
At times, when a terrible thing happens to someone, those who are not as wise as the person would come and lay blame on him. If you were the one confronted with the same problem that confronted the person you are blaming, you may lose all your composure. There is an African adage that says: someone who has not been confronted with a challenge or problem would boastfully say he is a strong person.
Some who are not wise at all would come at the time of a predicament,
blaming the victim as if they are wiser than him. Job, in the proceeding
verses in the chapter, was saying that what his friends were saying,
he also knows:
“BUT I HAVE UNDERSTANDING AS WELL AS YOU; I AM NOT INFERIOR TO YOU. INDEED, WHO DOES NOT KNOW
SUCH THINGS?” (Job 12:3)
If you cannot encourage the person in distress, do not complicate his problem by adding to his wound. The words of your mouth should be gracious and seasoned with salt:
“LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT, THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU OUGHT
TO ANSWER EACH ONE" (Colossians 4:6 NKJV).
The New Century Version says:
“WHEN YOU TALK, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE KIND AND PLEASANT SO YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER EVERYONE IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD.”
Colossians 4:6 (NCV)
Reflect:
• Have you ever added to someone’s burden by offering unsolicited
blame instead of comfort?
Peace.
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