Job 18

The Explanation

There was once a man named Job. Job was very sad. All his sheep were gone. His house was gone. His children were gone too. Job sat on the ground and cried.

Job had three friends. They came to sit with him. But the friends said sad things. They did not help Job.

One friend was called Bildad. In this story Bildad is talking. And Bildad says something not so nice.

Bildad said, "Job, listen to me! Bad people get punished. Bad people fall in a trap. Their light goes out. It gets dark, very dark, around them."

Bildad kept talking and talking. He said, "Bad people lose everything. Their tent falls down. Their name is forgotten."

And Bildad thought Job was a bad person. But that was not true! Job was not bad. Job loved God very much.

Poor Job. He was already so sad. And now his friend said mean things. Job's tears kept falling.

What Does This Mean?

Bildad thought he knew everything. He thought, "If something sad happens, then you must be a bad person." But that is not true.

Sometimes sad things happen. And it is nobody's fault. And God still loves you. Very, very much.

The Common Thread

Job was sad and alone. His friends did not understand him. Nobody sat quietly next to him. Nobody just gave him a hug.

But later, much later, someone else came. His name was Jesus. Jesus came to earth. And Jesus knows how it feels to be sad. Jesus knows how it feels when friends do not understand you.

Jesus never says mean things when you cry. Jesus comes close. Jesus says, "I am here. I love you."

For You

Do you know someone who is sad? Maybe at daycare. Maybe at home. Maybe grandma or grandpa.

What can you do? You do not have to say big words. You can just sit next to them. You can hold their hand. You can give a hug. That is enough.

And when you are sad yourself? Then you can tell Jesus. Jesus always listens. Always.

Talk About It

When was the last time you felt sad? What helped you?

What can you do for someone who is crying?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus,

Thank You that You see me. Thank You that You see me when I cry. Thank You that You are always close.

Help me to be sweet. Sweet to children who are sad. So they know: someone loves me.

Amen.