The Book of Job Can Help You When You Counsel - HOW JOB'S THREE COMPANIONS COUNSELED HIM -Continue

 How the Israelites could have benefited. After forming the nation of Israel, Jehovah appointed men, elders, to judge the nation according to his righteous standards. (Deuteronomy1:15-18; 27:1) Such men needed to listen carefully before giving advice or rendering judgment.  (2 Chronicles 19:6) They also needed to ask questions rather than assume that they knew all the facts. (Deuteronomy 19:18) Those counselors in Israel needed to avoid speaking harshly to those who came to them for help. Why? Because displaying irritation would discourage a person from opening his or her heart. (Exodus 22:22-24) The elders in Israel who considered the account of Job could have gleaned lessons from it.

Of course, mature men were not the only ones who could give counsel in Israel. Really, any Israelite-young or old, male or female-could offer advice to a companion who needed help to improve in his worship or correct his conduct. (Psalm 141:5) Such sincere counsel is the mark of a true friend. (Read Proverbs 27:9.) The bad example of Job's three companions had the potential to provide the Israelites with a living pattern of what not to say and what not to do when giving counsel. 

Next time: The Book of Job Can Help You When You Counsel -HOW JOB'S THREE COMPANIONS COUNSELED HIM - Conclusion

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