Job 2:7-13 Job’s Integrity and His Friends

JOB’S INTEGRITY (2:7-10)

*His Circumstance Was Beyond Description (2:7-8)

So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

*His Wife Apparently Recognized His Integrity (2:9)
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity?

*His Wife Did Not Stand by Him in His Trial (2:9)
“...curse God, and die.”

*Job Understood God’s Greatness (2:10) “...What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”


JOB’S THREE FRIENDS - 2:11-13

*They Apparently Cared for Job and His Family -
“heard...they came”...
“for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.”
“they lifted up their voice, and wept;”
“and they rent every one his mantle,”
“and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.”
“So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights,”
“and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite

All three had advice to give Job. Although some of things they said were true, much of their teaching and advice was wrong. God’s view is clearly seen in 42:7-8

And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

Eliphaz the Temanite: Most likely a native of Teman, in Idumea. He challenged Job regarding special sins as the cause of his present sufferings. He spoke with strong language, but trying to teach the infinite purity and majesty of God (Job 4:12-21; Job 15:12-16).

“Eliphaz claimed to have been given secret knowledge through a special revelation from God (Job 4:12-16), and that he had learned much from personal experience (Job 4:8). He argued that suffering is a direct result of sin, so if Job would only confess his sin, his suffering would end.

Eliphaz saw suffering as a result of God's punishment. Therefore, suffering should be a good thing which would bring us back to God. In some cases, of course, this may be true (Galatians 6:7,8) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Eliphaz made several wrong assumptions:
(1) a good and innocent person never suffers
(2) those who suffer are being punished for their past sins
(3) Job, because he was suffering, had done something wrong in the sight of God.

Eliphaz first sat with Job for seven days. When he spoke he told Job that cause of his suffering was personal sin. His advice was to bring his cause to God (5:8) for some resolution. Job answered him by telling Eliphaz to take back his false accusations (6:29)

4:7-8 Part of what Eliphaz said was true, but the way in which it was present, made it false. Those who promote sin will eventually be punished. Even the innocent and good suffer on occasion.

Notes for 4:12,13 - Eliphaz claimed that his vision was given by God, bu that contradicts what the Lord had to say in Job 42:7 - And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

Eliphaz’s message is summarized in Job 4:17. Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

Man should not question God's motives, actions or wisdom. Eliphaz expressed his own opinions. His conclusion in Job 5:8-9 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

He did not understand Job and his suffering. Never limit God to your perspective and finite understanding of life.


Bildad the Shuhite: Son of contention - probably as belonging to Shuah, a district in Arabia, in which Shuah, the sixth son of Abraham by Keturah, settled (Gen 25:2). He took part in each of the three controversies into which Job's friends entered with him, and delivered three speeches, very severe and stern in their tone, although less violent than those of Zophar.

Bidad sat with Job for seven days. Bildad accused Job of refusing to admit his sin, so he was still suffering. He challenged Job in 8:2, How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Job’s response to Bildad was tell me what charges you have against me (Job 10:1-2): My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

Zophar the Naamathite: rising early, crown - possibly from Arabia. Little is known about Naamah.

He also sat in silence for seven days with Job. Zophar taught that Job deserved even more suffering than he was experiencing. He challenged Job to get rid of his sin (11:13-14). If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.


Job answered Zophar, telling him basically that he would be justified before God (13:18): Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.


Elihu the Buzite: (Job 32-37) Explained Job’s suffering was to mold and to train him. He wanted Job to listen to wisdom and be silent (33:33) If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. Job gave no response to Elihu regarding his teaching.


God: (38-41) God confronted Job with the need to be content, but did not explain the reason for Job’s pain and suffering. Do you still want to argue with God Almighty? (40:1-2) Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.


Job answered God (42:3-5) I was talking about thing that were far beyond my personal understanding. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.