It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has. (Job 42:7)

Book of Job is like a play. There are seven main characters – God, the devil, Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu. Many theologians and ministers quote words from Job’s three friends without understanding the context. The words written in this Book need to be interpreted with caution.

For example, Eliphaz says,

Can mankind be righteous before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker? (v. 17)

People quote Eliphaz to back up their arguments without knowing his intentions. Eliphaz’s understanding of God is non-existent. What he talks about is a god who is federal and forensic. His arguments sound similar to those Christians who think Adam could have earned eternal life and become the head of the church by perfectly keeping God’s command.

He puts no trust even in His servants;
And He accuses His angels of error.
How much more those who live in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before the moth! (vv. 18-19)

God makes Job’s friends speak without knowledge out of their stupidity as quoted above to reveal what is truly in Job’s heart. In all this, God’s first priority is teaching Job and also us who read the Book of Job.

It appears that all God wants from His creatures is perfect obedience. This message was the common theme in the Old Testament. However, the main theme of the whole Bible is mercy and love.

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

There are plenty of false Christian friends around us who accuse us when we have difficult times in our lives. We also act in the same way Job’s friends do when our friends go through difficult times. When theologians and ministers focus on the law and perfect obedience, their followers speak as Job’s friends do. They talk about the law and punishment.

We must remember that all Christians uphold the law whose essence is self-sacrificing love. However, not all who appear to uphold the law or live a moral life are true Christians. Morality cannot be what makes Christians.

When we read what Job’s three friends say, we need to read with a critical eye. God was angry at their words even though they appeared to talk only good things about God.

But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (2 Peter 2:1)