The Lord honors Job

"The LORD said to Eliphaz ... : My anger was kindled against you and your two companions, for you did not speak of me properly, as my servant Job." Job 42. 7

God's wrath against Job's "comforters" is understandable when one reads their words.

Tsophar, for example, dares to say to Job : "[God] knows vain men, and he sees iniquity without man noticing it" (Job 11. 11). This comforter and his companions allow themselves to judge Job and to explain in a stubborn and pretentious way the attitude of God towards him: clearly, if Job is struck by many misfortunes, it is because of a hidden sin.

As for Job, he addresses harsh words to God : "All returns to the same; wherefore I said, He consumes the perfect and the wicked. If the plague suddenly gives death, he laughs at the trial of the innocent" (Job 9. 22, 23). But for all that, Job is aware of the greatness of God : "For he is not a man like me, that I may answer him, that we may go together for judgment. There is no referee between us who will put his hand on us two" (Job 9. 32, 33). Of course, Job vigorously rejects the explanations of his friends, and he sharply challenges God ; he is actually looking for his presence.

When God intervenes, he does not respond to "why ?" From Job. But there is an extraordinary dialogue between the creator and his creature. Job becomes aware of the closeness of God in his trial : "My ear had heard of you, now my eye has seen you" (Job 42: 5).

Thus, to pretend to explain the trials of our neighbor is a pretense and we have to accept that a lot of "why ?" Will remain unanswered. On the other hand, God accompanies us in our trials, as the prophet expresses : "In all their distress he was in distress" (Isaiah 63, 9).

Paul Claudel, poet, playwright and diplomat, wrote : "God did not come to suppress suffering. He did not even come to explain it, but he came to fill it with his presence".

Job's long-developed experiences are encouraging for all those who are going through difficult times.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)