The Comforters Who Failed Conclusion

Eliphaz, possibly the eldest and much older than Job, begin. In time, the other two followed suit. In general, we might say that they sheepishly followed the lead of Eliphaz. Some of what those men said might have seemed harmless, as they sprouted 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 what must be true? Must not Job be bad in some way? -JOB 4:1, 7, 8; 5:3-6.

Not surprisingly, Job did not take well to that line off reasoning. He rejected it forcefully. (Job6:25) But the three counselors became ever more convinced that Job was guilty of 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 tod Job to put away his evil and his enjoyment of sin. (Job 11:2, 3, 14; 290:5,12, 13)  An Bildad struck a particularly cruel blow. He suggested thaJob's sons must have skinned in one way, so they deserved to die as they did! - Job8,4, 13.

Next time: Integrity Under Attack! 

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