Tough Truth
There are times that the truth really hurts. It’s hard to be a messenger of tough truth. There are times that I have to tell a customer or client that the dream home that they wanted is already sold to someone else. There are times when they hear from a lender that their credit is not sufficient to allow them to purchase a home right now. Sometimes truth can be hard to hear and hard to process. I still prefer the whole truth to a partial truth. Is something is partially true then it’s part lie as well.
Elihu was the fourth person to speak to Job. He pretty much lectures for a couple of hours and Job hasn’t responded. He does speak truth, but it’s very harsh, accusatory and abrasive. I can think of a bunch of ways Elihu could have said these things in a kinder way. He is young and probably impetuous. Check this out…
10 ‘So listen to me, you men of understanding.
Far be it from God to do evil,
from the Almighty to do wrong.
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;
he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice.
13 Who appointed him over the earth?
Who put him in charge of the whole world?
14 If it were his intention
and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
15 all humanity would perish together
and mankind would return to the dust.
21 ‘His eyes are on the ways of mortals;
he sees their every step.
22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,
where evildoers can hide. (Job 34:10-15, 21-22 NIV)
In addition to speaking tough truth, Elihu is also accusing Job of doing evil. He is speaking truth without understanding the back-story of Job’s journey.
I think it’s important to communicate truth in the context of love and respect. I’m not sure that this young man understood that truth without love is very hard and harsh. I don’t agree with “sugar-coating” the truth so that it doesn’t feel like truth. I’m simply saying there needs to be care and compassion communicated when speaking tough truth. I believe that truth communicated in love is much more likely to result in change than when it’s presented harshly and hatefully. I thought about that line by Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men”… “You can’t handle the truth!” I can handle the truth, but I do appreciate it when it’s wrapped in genuine respect and kindness.
Pressing On!
Dwayne