Simon, Garfunkel, and Job

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The book of Job addresses the ancient, on-going, and difficult problem of suffering. Believed to be one of the earliest books written to be placed in the Bible... it is a story of perseverance on Job's part and his unwavering trust in God, his Creator. It's also a book about saying nothing; it's also a book about saying too much.

When reading the book of Job, I couldn't help but think of Simon and Garfunkel's 1964 hit, Hello, Darkness, My Old Friend. Job, who had everything--wealth, children, health--lost everything. It kept coming at him--in waves--until he found himself sitting in the dust and scraping the sores from his skin. His friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu heard of his tragedy and came to visit. They sat on the ground with him and said nothing for seven days. Seven days. There's something to be said about the ministry of presence, the ministry of silence.

It might have been better if they had remained silent. I guess that after seven days, one of them felt the need to speak. Eliphaz tries first. And, then Bildad.... Even though Job responds to each, there is no comfort in their words. These conversations continue for over 30 chapters until we finally hear from God with questions which start to make sense: Where where you when I laid the earth's foundation? Who shut up the sea behind doors? Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail...?

Darkness, my old friend was used in the song to express despair, angst. The words and phrases seemed to fit Job's circumstances.
Restless dreams, walking alone, people talking without speaking, people hearing without listening, hear my words that I might teach you, take my arms that I might reach you And the people bowed and prayed...the words are written .... and whispered in the sounds of silence.

James 1:19 reminds us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Sometimes, the best we can do is to be silent.
In a world filled with so much noise, this can be a challenge.
Seek some silence this week: by yourself, with a friend, with someone who needs to talk--be the listener.
Also, hear God's Words that He might teach you. His whispers are most apt to be heard in the sounds of silence.