In February 2004, the understanding of “friendship” was redefined for what now includes nearly 3 billion people. On that date, the social network Facebook launched. For the last generation, friendship began to be shaped by things known as “friend requests,” “likes” and agreeable “emojis.” In case you have escaped involvement in the world of social media and text messaging, emojis are generally little round yellow faces with a variety of expressions. The primary purpose of emojis is to fill in emotional cues otherwise missing from typed conversation. Friendship is maintained by getting enough “likes” for something you post, or if someone uses the right laughing, love or care emoji. Social media has made a lot of positive things possible such as staying connected with family and friends far away, sharing pictures and such. But in many ways, it has replaced many of the deeper aspects of what it means to be a friend.
In today’s passages, Job is deep in the midst of his suffering and has been visited by three friends. At some point, a younger man named Elihu joins the group and listens to the three friends discuss with Job possible reasons for his suffering. As Elihu begins what would include his second and third speech to Job, he says this, “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good” (Job 34:2-4, NIV).
The key here for me is that his friends came to be with him, shared with him face to face, tried to help him figure out what he needed to do and even challenged him. Their advice was not perfect, but they did not abandon Job in his time of need.
“Lord, help me to be the kind of friend I would want to have. Help me to love my friends as you love. Amen”
Joe Pritchett, Garner, N.C.
Extended Scripture: Job 34–35
