Hard of Hearing, or Hard Headed?

June 4, 2021 / Mark Brady

I’m still reading through the book of Job, in the Bible. I think he is both, hard of hearing and hard headed. He is not listening to what his friends are trying to say to him. As well, he is hard headed enough to not realize how arrogant he is. I’ve had a taste of that lately. The arrogance, I mean.

You see God instructed me on how to handle a situation, and I would have sworn to you that I heard him. But in the sad reality of things, I wasn’t applying it, and of course people got hurt. Then I felt like a jerk, and I was acting like one. I thought I was right though and in some things, I was, but how I chose to express my being right, was wrong.

I should have remembered the verse, Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” (MSG)

So I don’t want to be “hard of hearing” when it comes to receiving wisdom, understanding, and instructions from God. And I really don’t want to be “hard headed” when it is time to apply those words from God. I don’t want to be a jerk, and I don’t want to hurt anyone, so I find myself asking God to help me to; pause, think, and respond with one of the fruits of the Spirit, and I think that will do the job just fine.

2 thoughts on “Hard of Hearing, or Hard Headed?”

seekingdivineperspective

June 5, 2021 at 11:33 am

I always got the feeling Job’s “friends” were talking to hear themselves talk. Instead of empathizing with Job, they assumed he had done something wrong. This not only insensitive but just plain mean, kicking a guy when he’s down, regardless of how eloquently they did it. Not sure I blame Job for being defensive, especially when he was in so much pain, as well as being innocent of their accusations. Although the Lord challenged Job at the end, He also rebuked the “friends” for their platitudes and assumptions.
At least that’s what I got from this book. God rewarded Job in the end, giving him more than he’d had at the beginning. Even when we make mistakes, God is merciful.

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- Mark Brady
  
  June 5, 2021 at 1:11 pm
  
  Gees! “Spoiler Alert!” LOL No, I’ve read the book of Job before, so therefore I know how his story ends. Interesting take on Job’s friends. I’ve never thought of that before. Job, like us many times, when in the midst of a battle, is struggling to find the reason for it. I can relate. Thanks, as always for your point of view. Much appreciated. Blessings
  
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