Then Eliphaz from Teman spoke up: "Would you mind if I said something to you? Under the circumstances it's hard to keep quiet.
You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit. Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse. But now you're the one in trouble—you're hurting! You've been hit hard and you're reeling from the blow. But shouldn't your devout life give you confidence now? Shouldn't your exemplary life give you hope?
Job's friend Eliphaz begins by offering hope. How well does he do? It looks good at first, but read carefully. Especially the last two lines. This sounds like ancient talk for "everything happens for a reason" or "I'm sure God had a plan in this" or maybe even a little more harsh, "I know how you feel" or "you're not the only one that's been through this." How many times have these words been used to comfort a grieving soul. Will they bring comfort to Job?
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