IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB

 "The Comforters Who Failed"

Three men who knew Job-the record describes   them as companions, or acquaintances-heard of his troubles and traveled to visit him and offer comfort.   When they saw him from distance, he was unrecognizable. Racked with pain, his skin blackened with disease, he was barely shadow of his former self.  The three men, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar-put on a great show of gried, waiting loudly and throwing dust on their heads. Then they sat there day and night, uttering not a word.  We should not mistake their silence for comfort, for they asked the man no questions and learned only was obviousl-Job was in great pain. - JOB 2:11-13; 30:30. 

Finally, Job had to begin the conversation himself.  In words  drenched with pain, he cursed the day he was born. And he revealed a deep cause of his agony.  He thought that God was the source of his troubles!  (Job 3:1, 2, 23)  Though still a man of faith, Job desperately needed comfort. But when those acquaintances begin to speak,, Job soon realized that their silence was better.- JOB 13:5. 

Eliphaz, possibly the eldest and much older than Job, began. In time, the other two followed suit.  In general, we might say that they sheepishly  followed the lead of Eliphaz.  Som of what  these men said might have seemed harmles, as they spouted spiritual sounding platitudes about God being lofty, punishing bad people, and rewarding the good.  From the first, though, there was an undercurrent of unkindness. Eliphaz used simplistic logic to suggest that if God is good and he punishes  the bad, and Job was clearly being punished, then what must be true? Must not Job himself be bad in some way? - JOB 4:1, 7, 8; 5:3-6.

Not surprisingly, Job did not take well to that line reasoning. He rejected it forcefully.  (Job 6:25)  But the three counselors became ever more convinced tha Job was guilty of some hidden wrongdoing; he must somehow deserve all the bad things happening to him. Eliphaz accused Job of being presumptuous, wicked, and devoid of Godly fear.  (Job 15:4, 7-9. 20-24;22:6-11) Zophar told Job to put away his eveil and his enjoyment of sin.  (Job 11:2,3, 14; 20:5, 12,13)   And Bildad struck a particularly cruel blow. He suggested that Job's sons must have sinned in some way, so they deserved to die as they did! - JOB 8:4, 13. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOB - Intregity Under Attack!

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