The Comforters Who Failed

 Three men who knew Job-the record describes them as companions or acquaintances -hesrd of his troubles and traveled to visit him and offer comfort. When they saw him from a distance, he was unrecognizable. Racked with pain, his skin blackened with disease, he was barely a shadow of his former self. The three men-Eliphaz, Bildad, and zophar-put ona great show of grief, wailing loudly and throwing dust on their heads. Then they say on the ground near Job and said nothing. For a full week they say there day and night, uttering not a word. We should mistake their silence for comfort, for they ask the man no questions and learned only what was obvious-Job was in gret 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 1:3-5.

Next time: The Comforters Who Failed - Conclusion

From jw.org publications