There are times in our life where may we have been guilty of saying too much. Sometimes, we think we know it all, and try to show how much we know or how clever we are by giving comments, advice, suggestions, or even criticism, even though these were not asked for in the first place. Sometimes, we say things out of ignorance and do not really know the full situation. Sometimes, we try to be helpful and say things, only to later discover that what we had said only made matters worse. Sometimes we just can’t let things be (perhaps the mouth is too itchy) and add more fuel into the fire by saying things, only to be later burned by what we uttered. This is why we are reminded: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)” “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. (Proverbs 21:23)”
In today’s reading, we are presented with God’s response to Job’s lamentation. Job had lamented why he was going through all sorts of sufferings and calamities, and was trying to figure out where he had gone wrong. In response, God posed a number of rhetorical questions to Job, all of which are designed to show Job how small he is in relation to God’s plan. In posing such questions to Job, God was reminding Job that His wisdom isn’t like human wisdom; His ways are not human ways. Faced with such questioning, Job realised that he had said too much, perhaps he had overstep the line, and he said (possibly sheepishly): “My words have been frivolous: what can I reply? I had better lay my finger on my lips. I have spoken once… I will not speak again; more than once… I will add nothing.”
What about us? Have we realised that there are times we have overstep the line? Have we realised that we said too much? Why do we have the urge to say things? Can’t we be more cautious and control our tongue? Let us learn to know when to say things and when not to say. Let us also learn to be more humble and trusting in God’s providence. After all, He knows what is best for us. We may not understand why things happen, but does it matter? Let us let God be God, and let Him guide and help us according to His plan.