He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt, as prepared for those whose feet slip. (Job 12:5, NAS)
Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping. (Job 12:5, NIV)
People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling. (Job 12:5, New Living Translation)
I looked up Job 12:5 in several translations. It is an interesting verse and not the easiest to translate. But the basic idea seems to be: A person living in comfort finds it easy to show contempt or disdain toward someone suffering. Why? Because the tendency is to see someone suffering as somehow deserving it. The New Living Translation makes it even more graphic. Not only do we think they might deserve it but we are often even willing to give them a push as they are stumbling.
I couldn’t help but reflect on the human heart. We are so prone to a smug sense of superiority or arrogance that we don’t even recognize it. We can also be incredibly cruel. I thought of the fickleness of fame. One moment a star is adored by all; the next they are the object of ridicule, mocking or late-night humor. Or consider junior high school. Woe to the kid who is out of place or has some noticeable fault or is not in the right crowd. They can be mercilessly ostracized, taunted or abused. It is almost as if we smell blood and jump in on the feeding frenzy. We enjoy seeing or hearing about other people’s weaknesses, faults, sins, and failings because it somehow makes our lives seem a little bit better, a little less dysfunctional, a little more superior. It is scarey how quickly such a self-righteous attitude can invade my heart.
From a slightly different angle, Job 12:5 reminds me that in an area of life where I am “at ease,” it is easy for me to be judgmental of others who happen to struggle with that area. If I am not prone toward angry outbursts, it is easy to look at someone who is as being incredibly immature or out-of-control. The same goes with addictions or other areas of sin. We must be careful that we do not quickly condemn or look down upon someone because they struggle with a sin that we do not.
In Job’s case, I think his friends found a subtle sense of satisfaction in seeing Job suffer. I am sure that they were envious of Job’s prosperity, spirituality, and blessed family life. Watching him crumble probably gave them a small dose of vindication. “Ah, see, Job wasn’t as righteous as he appeared. God is getting him for some secret sin that no one else could see. I am glad that my life is more real, authentic, and in line with God’s will.”
Oh, the human heart is so deceitful and eager to justify itself! The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) I certainly can’t understand mine.
Lord, preserve me from myself. Keep me from finding smug satisfaction in the failures of others. Help me to live in humility and grace.