這三位「探病的訪客」開始滔滔不絕地說話，可是，卻不理會約伯的感受。而且，他們言之無理，也不明白神的工作；他們的話對約伯毫無助宜，以致約伯哭喊：「我需要的是朋友。」他們自稱是他的朋友，卻沒有做朋友該做的事。他們本該用心聆聽他，為他或與他一同禱告；他們本應感同身受，理解他的處景；他們卻完全沒有。所有這一切對我們幫助朋友時有甚麼提示呢？

以利沙首先發言。他提出兩個要點：「我得了默示，因此我有資格評論你的狀況。（12至16節）其次，所有苦難都是因為罪，所以，約伯，你一定是犯了罪。如果是我，我一定會尋求神，將自己交在神的手中（五8）。」

比勒達的話更加率直。他在第八章責備約伯（八1至2節）。在第4節，他指控約伯的兒女一定是罪有應得。他更在8至10節說：「你追念你的先祖對你的教導，他們一定同意我們的說法。」

瑣法是最沒有同情心的一個。他甚至指出：「你還有一些罪，是神沒有追討的！」（十一6）。換言之，神已經從輕發落。

他們三人各自發言三次，約伯每次都作出回應。他們的言論基本上都是錯的。約伯經歷試煉，並不是因為神要懲罰他的罪；反之，乃因神相信約伯有足夠的信心經得起試練，而這是另外一個故事。

明天，我們將會繼續看約伯經歷試煉時的言語，特別是他怎樣回應他的所謂朋友們。

Day 27

WHAT DID JOB’S FRIENDS SAY?

Job 4: 1-6 & 12-19

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 Surely you have instructed many,
And you have strengthened weak hands.

4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you have strengthened the feeble knees;

5 But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled.

6 Is not your reverence your confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?

12 “Now a word was secretly brought to me,
And my ear received a whisper of it.

13 In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,

14 Fear came upon me, and trembling,
Which made all my bones shake.

15 Then a spirit passed before my face;
The hair on my body stood up.

16 It stood still,
But I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence;
Then I heard a voice saying:

17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

18 If He puts no trust in His servants,
If He charges His angels with error,

19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before a moth?

Message

The three or four friends listened quietly while Job poured out his questions (c.3). Then one of them began to answer him. Each in turn insisted on the same theme: Innocent people do not suffer. Therefore Job must be a great sinner. They simply did not understand the situation.

These three “hospital visitors” came and when they started talking, they had plenty to say. But they talked without feeling for Job. They talked without knowledge. They didn’t know what God was doing. They talked without helping Job. Job cried out, “I want a friend.” They were called his friends but they didn’t do what friends should do. They could have listened more. They could have prayed for him and with him. They could have identified with him but they didn’t. What does all of that say to us about helping our friends?

Eliphaz spoke first. He had two points to make, “I’ve had a vision, so I am well able to speak about your condition (vv.12-16). Second, all suffering is because of sin. So, Job, you must have sinned. If I were you, I would seek God and put myself in his hands.” (5:8)

Bildad was even more outspoken. In chapter 8 he rebukes Job (8:1-2). In verse 4 he charges Job’s children with sin as if they only got what they deserved. In verses 8-10 he says, “Look back at history, at our forefathers. They will agree with what we are saying”.

Zophar (c.11) is the most unsympathetic. He even said (11:6) “God has even forgotten some of your sins”. In other words, he has let you off lightly.

Three times each of them spoke and Job answered them. And the friends were basically wrong in what they said. These trials were not God’s punishment of Job. They were allowed because of God’s confidence in Job, which is a different story altogether.

Tomorrow let’s look further at what Job said when undergoing these trials, especially in answer to the words of his so called friends.