Bible Study

*Just for your thought.*

*The Book of Job*

**Expository Commentary on the Book of Job
Bible Study – 6*

According to Bible scholars, Job lived for approximately seventy years enjoying God's blessings without experiencing major suffering, poverty, or affliction. Then, suddenly, he lost his children, his wealth, his comfort, and his physical health. All these events took place through Satan's activity, but only with God's permission.
Afterward, Job isolated himself and lived outside the city in a place where refuse was discarded. When Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite heard about all the troubles that had come upon Job, they set out from their homes and met together to visit him, sympathize with him, and comfort him.
The dialogue between Job and these three friends extends from chapter 3 through chapter 31 of the book.
Their understanding of God—their theology—was flawed in many respects. These men serve as a powerful example of the fact that a person who holds erroneous or incomplete theological views cannot effectively comfort someone who is genuinely suffering.
Let us briefly examine their view of God.
1. Eliphaz
Eliphaz was the oldest of the three friends. In his view, God's justice was strongly emphasized, but there was little room for God's grace.
His key ideas were:
(1) No one can be righteous before God
“Can a mortal be more righteous than God?” (Job 4:17)
(2) A person reaps what he sows
“Those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8)
(3) Suffering may be God's discipline
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects.” (Job 5:17)
2. Bildad
Bildad was a legalist in his approach.
His key ideas were:
(1) God never perverts justice
“Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?” (Job 8:3)
(2) Job's children were punished because of their sins
“When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” (Job 8:4)
3. Zopharஈஈ
Zophar believed that people receive what their actions deserve. In his opinion, Job was actually suffering less than he deserved.
He argued that God had punished Job less than his sins deserved (Job 11:6).
He also insisted that restoration would come if Job repented.
Thus, each of these friends evaluated Job according to their limited understanding of God and drew conclusions about his condition. As a result, they failed to comfort him and were unable to bring him true consolation.
In the end, God did not approve of their conclusions (Job 42:7).
"The friends had theology, but they did not have sympathy."
Truths We Can Learn from This
1. Human beings do not have the authority to determine the cause of another person's suffering.
Many aspects of suffering remain matters between the God who permits it and the believer who endures it. Therefore, it is wrong for us to speculate and pass judgment on the reasons behind another person's afflictions.
2. Anyone who seeks to comfort a suffering believer must possess a sound understanding of theology.
One must understand God's justice, mercy, grace, and discipline in a balanced way. Without such understanding, it is impossible to provide genuine comfort to those who suffer. A person who emphasizes only prosperity theology will not be able to fully minister to a believer who is walking through suffering.
3. All things must be understood in the light of God's sovereignty.
God has the absolute right to rule over everything He has created. If, according to His sovereign will, God chooses to lead a believer through suffering, we must not invent explanations or pass judgment concerning His purposes.
Our comfort must be rooted in love. Any counsel offered from an attitude of superiority—thinking, "I am better than the one who is suffering"—cannot become true comfort.
May the Lord grant us grace to minister to suffering believers with wisdom, humility, and love.