Show A Little Kindness

Job 6:14 (RSV): "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." Context: Job and His Friends The book of Job is a deep journey through suffering, faith, and human response. Job, once prosperous and respected, suddenly loses everything—his wealth, children, and health. Covered in sores and crushed in spirit, he sits in grief. Three friends come to visit him. At first they sit silently in empathy, but soon their silence breaks into speeches. Instead of comfort, Job receives arguments, judgments, and theories about why he is suffering. They suggest he may have sinned, that his trials must be punishment. In response, Job utters these piercing words in 6:14. For him, the cruelty of their speeches cuts almost as deep as his physical pain. 1. Plain Meaning in RSV The RSV puts it plainly: “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” A suffering friend is owed kindness. Refusing to show compassion is not merely a social failure—it is a spiritual failure. In withholding mercy, one is not only hurting a friend but also dishonoring God Himself. The verse directly connects kindness to the fear of God. Reverence for the Almighty is not measured by ritual or knowledge but by how we treat those in distress. 2. Comparison with KJV KJV: “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend…” → Focuses on the need of the afflicted. RSV: “He who withholds kindness from a friend…” → Focuses on the responsibility of the friend. The difference is subtle but significant. The KJV highlights the plight of the sufferer. The RSV highlights the accountability of the companion. Together they show two sides of one coin: suffering cries out for compassion, and withholding it dishonors God. 3. Why Versions Differ The original Hebrew text is compact. The key word here is chesed—a rich word that means loyal love, mercy, covenant faithfulness. Translators must decide whether to stress the recipient’s need (pity to the afflicted) or the giver’s duty (withholding kindness). Neither is wrong. Both emphasize facets of truth. The beauty is that scripture allows us to see the diamond from different angles. 4. The Core Message At its heart, Job 6:14 teaches that: God expects mercy and faithfulness in friendship. Harshness toward the suffering dishonors God. True reverence for the Almighty is revealed not in words but in how we treat the weak and hurting. 💡 Interpretation for Christian Living For us today, this verse carries a sharp edge. It tells us that kindness is not optional. Compassion is not merely a personality trait—it is a spiritual duty, an outworking of fearing God. When we withhold kindness in a moment of need, we are not simply failing a friend; we are forsaking the fear of God. The fear of the Almighty here is not terror but reverence: living in awe, respect, and obedience. God is compassionate (Ps. 103:13). To misrepresent Him by withholding mercy is to misstep spiritually. 🪞 Application to Daily Life Be a channel of God’s kindness. When others hurt, our first call is not to analyze but to comfort. Sometimes God’s love flows through us in the simplest forms—a listening ear, a helping hand, or even quiet presence.  Measure spirituality by love, not just devotion. A person may pray loudly, attend every service, or quote scripture fluently. Yet if kindness is withheld from a suffering friend, Job declares that such a person forsakes the fear of God. Real spirituality shows in the quality of our relationships.  Understand kindness as covenant loyalty. The Hebrew chesed is not just being “nice.” It is steadfast, loyal love. As Christians, we live under a covenant of grace. Showing kindness is part of our covenant response, because God has shown it to us first (Eph. 4:32). Guard against hard-heartedness. Job’s friends allowed their theology to override their compassion. They became more interested in being right than being kind. This verse warns us not to fall into the same trap. In trials—whether our own or others’—we must keep hearts soft. 🌱 How to Walk This Out Check your response: When I see someone struggling, do I rush to analyze, or do I first offer comfort? Pray to be a vessel of God’s heart: Ask the Spirit for sensitivity to those who need encouragement, not just correction. Live mercy as worship: Treat compassion as an act of reverence to God. Every time you show kindness, you reflect His nature. ✨ Closing Reflection Job 6:14 (RSV) confronts us with this truth: to fear God truly is to show His kindness to the suffering. Failing to do so is not only unkind—it is unspiritual. This verse pushes us to evaluate: Am I a friend who reflects God’s heart, or one who adds weight to someone’s burden? Do my actions in moments of others’ pain reveal reverence for God, or indifference? 💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts: How have you experienced kindness from a friend in a hard season? In the workplace, do you believe compassion is a true measure of spirituality today? Good morning 🌅 #kindness #Job614 #ChristianLiving #FearingGod #Friendship #WorshipAndFellowship 📝