这三位「探病的访客」开始滔滔不绝地说话，可是，却不理会约伯的感受。而且，他们言之无理，也不明白神的工作；他们的话对约伯毫无助宜，以致约伯哭喊：「我需要的是朋友。」他们自称是他的朋友，却没有做朋友该做的事。他们本该用心聆听他，为他或与他一同祷告；他们本应感同身受，理解他的处景；他们却完全没有。所有这一切对我们帮助朋友时有甚么提示呢？

以利沙首先发言。他提出两个要点：「我得了默示，因此我有资格评论你的状况。（12至16节）其次，所有苦难都是因为罪，所以，约伯，你一定是犯了罪。如果是我，我一定会寻求神，将自己交在神的手中（五8）。」

比勒达的话更加率直。他在第八章责备约伯（八1至2节）。在第4节，他指控约伯的儿女一定是罪有应得。他更在8至10节说：「你追念你的先祖对你的教导，他们一定同意我们的说法。」

琐法是最没有同情心的一个。他甚至指出：「你还有一些罪，是神没有追讨的！」（十一6）。换言之，神已经从轻发落。

他们三人各自发言三次，约伯每次都作出回应。他们的言论基本上都是错的。约伯经历试炼，并不是因为神要惩罚他的罪；反之，乃因神相信约伯有足够的信心经得起试练，而这是另外一个故事。

明天，我们将会继续看约伯经历试炼时的言语，特别是他怎样回应他的所谓朋友们。

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.