When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast. – Job 22:29

Today’s Scripture Reading (June 12, 2018): Job 22

Journalist Germany Kent writes that “Kindness is universal. Sometimes being kind allows others to see the goodness in humanity through you. Always be kinder than necessary.” Our world often seems to lack simple kindness. I am a critic of social media because it often seems to bring out the worst in us. Things that I might never say to your face I am willing to tweet about in the midnight hours. We have lost the idea that we can love and disagree with each other. Bishop Michael Curry, fresh off his sermon at the Royal Wedding in May 2018, was interviewed by Don Lemon on CNN and said this of the “Reclaiming Jesus” movement, of which he is a part.

We reject nationalism and racism in any form no matter who it comes from, whether it comes from the left or the right. It doesn’t matter who it comes from. Every person is created in the image of God and we have to treat each other that way. And we must fashion social policies that reflect that, and in the way that we engage in debate, because this “love thy neighbor stuff’ is not sentimental stuff. This is tough love. This is the love that means if I disagree with you, I gotta love you (Bishop Michael Curry, CNN, May 23, 2018).

Kindness and love are universal. And we need to be kinder than necessary and love more than is needed.

As with so much of the responses of Job’s friends, there is an element of truth in what they are saying. Eliphaz, in his final words in the book of Job, lifts up a beautiful image of what the people of God should look like. Eliphaz echoes the ideas that we need to be kinder than necessary and love more than is needed. As followers of God, we are to be involved in the process of lifting people up when they are down, and of loving them no matter whether or not they live in the same echo chamber that we like to spend our time. We need to reach out to those with whom we disagree and love them in the midst of the disagreement.

The problem with Eliphaz’s words is that he doesn’t seem to be living them. He talks about reaching out and lifting up those who are struggling, and then leaves Job in his mess and preaches a sermon on repentance. He speaks of love and then refuses to give it. He talks of kindness when he does not seem to possess any in his character.

The nineteenth-century theologian Adam Clark made this comment about Eliphaz’s remarks. “Thus ends Eliphaz the Temanite, who began with a tissue of the bitterest charges, continued with the most cruel insinuations, and ended with common-place exhortations to repentance, and promises of secular blessings in consequence.” God demands so much more from us. He demands the tough love that means if I disagree with you, I still gotta love you, and be involved in the process by which you are lifted up.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 23