Neighborly Intercession

“O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!” (Job 16:21 AV)

Job meant this as a criticism.  His three friends were full of advice and judgment on Job’s situation.  They were not treating him as a friend or neighbor would.  They never offered to pray with him.  They say quiet and didn’t say a word for a week.  This was supposed to show empathy for Job and his situation.  Yet, when it came to the words and thoughts they shared, they were anything but friends.  Job’s criticism here is well-founded.  His wish was that instead of offering advice of no value, or worse, very hurtful, they might entreat God for him as though they loved him.  I will not dwell on the treatment Job received, but rather, the universal application of praying for others as you would entreat for neighbors.  This application was brought home to me while the LORD had me pastor in the south.  In that culture, people are far more involved with the needs and lives of their neighbors.  No one lived as an island unto himself.  They care for and watch over each other.  It is part of their culture.

When I lived in Kentucky, I only had one next-door neighbor.  His name was David.  David and I talked a lot.  When we were both outside, we would spend hours visiting.  When he had a need, I helped.  When I had a need, he did likewise.  One summer, David came down with shingles.  From what I understood, it can be very painful.  David could mow his yard alright.  What he had a time with was all the other yard work he had to do.  In particular, David had a tree or two to trim.  Getting the ladder out, working the chainsaw, and dragging them to the burn pile was not something he could do.  There was also the time he needed to take down an old aerial TV antenna.  My son and I helped him get it down and into our dumpster.  David would check on me when we had a heavy rain storm.  Our basement became an indoor swimming pool.  The point is, that is what neighbors do.  My soul-winning buddy and I were out last spring and came upon a family trying to remove an old metal awning from the front of the house.  I could tell they were headed for an accident if they didn’t get help.  We propped up the awning so that when it came loose from the house, it simply slid down twelve-foot-long boards.  That is what neighbors do.  That is what neighbors are.

Job wishes his friends would come to his rescue by praying for him as a neighbor would rescue his neighbor.  Another Southern tradition is neighborliness in times of deep distress.  A serious illness will see many neighbors and friends bring food to the afflicted.  A death in the family means days of non-stop visitors bringing flowers, food, or financial assistance.  There is a responsibility and bond between people who share the day.  This is all Job wants.  He wants those who are with him to entreat God like they would someone with whom they share their lives.  We can do the same.  When we see someone in distress, pray for them.  When they are in need, meet the need, but don’t forget to pray for them.  We should pray for one another as though we are kin.  Because we are.  We are related by the blood of Christ.  That being the case, we should entreat from one another as though we have lived next to one another our entire lives.  We should care.  We should empathize with the troubles others face.  And we should assault the throne of God for them.

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