Job 2:10

Job meant ‘evil’ by the word ‘foolish’. Only an evil person should say such things.

Job thought that God had done evil things to Job. Job thought that this was fair. He knew that God did many good things. So, Job would not hate God if God did some evil things. But Job’s ideas were wrong. God is good. He never does any evil things.

Job’s words were not evil because Job was sincere. Job was still trying to respect God. Job still gave honour to God.

Compare Job 1:22 and Job 2:10. In chapter 1, Job did not accuse God. But in chapter 2, Job accused God. Job said that God had done something evil.

Job’s three friends arrive

v11 Job had three friends. Their names were:

• Eliphaz, who belonged to the people called Temanites;

• Bildad, who belonged to the people called Shuhites;

• Zophar, who belonged to the people called Naamathites.

These men heard about Job’s troubles. So, they left their homes. They agreed to go to Job. Then, they would sympathise with Job. And they would comfort him.

v12 But when the three friends saw Job, they could not even recognise him. They cried out. They tore their clothes. They put dust on their heads. v13 For a whole week, they sat with Job. They sat on the ground, even during the night. And they said nothing to him. They saw that Job was suffering greatly. So, they were silent.