Shattered Pieces

Have you ever dropped a glass that seemed to shatter in a million pieces? You sweep endlessly thinking the floor is clear. Then a small piece in a corner reflects the light shining on it. Out comes the broom once more. Absentmindedly you walk barefoot across the floor and a shard of glass penetrates your foot. You wonder how such a small fragment could cause that much pain and even blood.
Note the similarity between a crystal goblet and stream of words. Both can enhance the beauty of time spent around the dining table. An empty goblet may be worth much by book value but at a table the glass is worthless without contents to enjoy. Empty words are like that, a wind without end. In Scripture Job spoke to his friends who had given him both useless and hurtful counsel. He admonished them by saying, "Shall words of wind have an end?" (Job 16:3) Long winded speeches often leave the recipient dry, like an empty goblet. However, a goblet filled with strong drink can pack a powerful punch. So can words. Listen to Job in verse 4 of the same chapter. "I could heap up words against you." Translation - I could knock you out with painful words just as strong drink knocks a person out.
In Job 19:2 he questions his counseling friends, "How long will you torment my soul and break me in pieces with words?"(Painful words that cut like glass. Words that leave a heart broken and bloody.) Job's friends had words that affected him like shattered pieces of glass. Their words hurt.
Our words can easily hurt as well. A bride-to-be carefully selects goblets for her wedding registry. Our words should be chosen as carefully. Words can be useful gifts or leave others empty and dry. Worst of all we can shatter people with words. Proverbs 25:11 states, " A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."