Then Job spoke again: “If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively. [Job 6.1-3]
The thing is... when all is said and done (as we will learn of Job's outcome in days to come), Job eventually repents before God for speaking impulsively!
Then the LORD said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Then Job replied to the LORD, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” [Job 40.1-5]
It sure seems like Job could have avoided a lot of confusion if he had just said this back in Job 6.1! Instead, Job admitted his impulsive talk and then continued right on with it!
...And here is where Job's story applies to me...
It's like when someone says, "I shouldn't say this, but...?"
Job admitted early on that he had already spoken impulsively and then went ahead full-throttle in that very same impulsiveness.
There are subtle nuances in Job's story that we should pay attention to. However, we will miss these nuances in just casual reading. For me, I am just now, after years of reading Job, beginning to see some of these hidden gems.
Father, help me, when I realize I have already said too much (and I know I do it often), to just stop and say no more! Period.
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