Job 17:12

12 They change [suwm] the night [layil] into day [yowm]: the light ['owr] is short [qarowb] because [paniym] of darkness [choshek]. KJV-Interlinear

12 'They make night into day, saying, 'The light is near,' in the presence of darkness. NASB

From Jobs viewpoint, and after all he is the one who is extremely sick, not his friends, but from his view, life is nearly over for him. We have already seen his symptoms and physical condition, and we have some understanding of his mental condition, from the words he has spoken.

And, considering the magnitude of his physical condition, his mind is still pretty sharp. Most folks in his situation would be laying down, moaning and growing and not really interested in any kind of conversation, let alone a debate. But Job is expressing himself very well.

Here Job presents the contrasts of this conversation.

Job is deathly sick. He sees life as being over for himself. All of his plans, all of his dreams, all of his wishes are now cancelled. At least in his current mind.

His friends, on the other hand have been offering him the opportunity of being restored to his former greatness, if only, and that is their prerequisite, if only he will confess and fess up to his sins. And, we might add, his secret sins.

His friends are sure of his guilt. We have already seen this.

So Job adds a little humor to the conversation. He is in the middle of the nighttime of his life, knocking at deaths door that is, and his friends want to wave some magic wand, which is his confession, and instantly make all things as though it were a bright and sunny day. As though they have some say in the matter.

Job probably looks like someone who has been living in a concentration camp all of their life, and his friends are suggesting that he take their magic pill, which is his admission of guilt, and all will be instantly well.

Job knows enough about himself, that he knows that his sins are not the reason for his suffering. Therefore, their argument and cure suggestions, are not valid.

Far too often people want to make things in life too simple. Just rationalize in your own mind and things will get better. Forget the facts. If you want something bad enough, if you believe in something hard enough, if you close your eyes really hard and click your heels three times, then it must be true.

And of course that is not how life works.

Some people anguish over small things in life. They pray for a decision. Do we turn right or left? Do we buy this new thing or not? Do we do this or that?

And God did not place you here on this earth to be confused, indecisive, or dependent on crutches in life. God gives us all the opportunity to grow up and become independent thinkers, such that we can think and therefore come to our own decisions in life.

Those who need counselors, those who need psych help, those who are constantly unable to make up their minds, lack confidence, orientation, and spiritual growth. But Bible study and time will solve all of those inadequacies sooner or later.

One of the objectives of the spiritual life is independence from this world. You will not have to be tempted, or promised something from his world, in order to make up your mind as to what you should do.

Job, if he were mentally weak, could have taken the advice of his friends, but then he would have been using their advice as his wishing crutch. He would have been misled, as they were in fact taking advantage of his situation.

Oh, and by the way, searching out information, getting advice from experts and so forth, such that you can make decisions, is the right thing to do. That kind of investigation is not a crutch in life.

If you want to build a building, talk to a contractor or engineer. If you want a heart transplant, talk with a heart surgeon. If you can't decide between the red or the blue clothing, don't write to me!

Remember that all things in this life, as Solomon has stated, and as Job has now stated, are emptiness. Don't place too great of an importance on anything from this world.

Your objective here is to grow up to spiritual maturity. When that occurs, then your decision making abilities will be greatly simplified. You dependence on things in this life will be greatly reduced. And as such, your peace of mind will increase, as your worry and stress will also be greatly reduced.

If you make a mistake, and in this life you will always make mistakes, then it will not be the end of the world. Pick yourself up and move on. Again, God provides all that you have. If you throw away or give away something that you have, God will replace it in due course.

And even if he does not, the things of this world are unimportant. Your spiritual life is what is important.

Your spiritual life is based on truth. Truth is the recipient of blessings. Base your life on truth and blessings follow automatically.

Your friends will always tell you that you should or should not do this or that. They don't live your life, so their opinions should only be weighed against your spiritual wisdom. They may mean well, but in the end, you are the one who has to live with your decisions.

Now is the time to post a prayer.