The above former seemingly extravagant and indefensible speeches of Job at first may seem unbecoming to our limited faculties or to the patience that is often attributed to him, not knowing or realizing the connection that these experiences of the patriarchs of old have with the body of Christ that is in the same suffering case as the enduring Job. Because Job, as many other patriarchs of old, was really another type and figure of Christ who were portrayed and raised up by God under the former dispensation that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might also have hope in God as it is in Christ Jesus. Because notice how these words of Job nearly, if not exactly parallel the sufferings of Christ Jesus while He was incarnate in mortal flesh.

The Roman soldiers literally smote Jesus upon the cheek reproachfully; while the people of Israel with the Gentiles were gathered together against Him to do whatsoever God in His determinate Counsel had determined before to be done. God His Father through these means had delivered Jesus unto these ungodly persecutors, and turned the Prince of Glory over into the hands of the wicked in order to accomplish His Eternal Purpose in His Son. Consider the patience, or rather endurance of Christ under this suffering and persecution inflicted by wicked hands. Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and was set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of Glory, Who “though He were a Son, yet learned obedience through the things that He suffered” when He became obedient to the Will of His Father, even unto the death of the cross; For He cried, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.” And “I have a baptism to baptized with, and how I am straitened until it be accomplished!”

Like Job, comparatively and relatively speaking, Jesus also was at ease as He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man..." (Luke 2:52.) until His great trouble came, notwithstanding the threats, trials and persecutions that had begun against Him even at His birth by evil powers and later at Galilee in His Own country and among His Own people, when those who were His familiars and of long acquaintance were so infuriated by His gracious words, that they tried to stone Him to death as a blasphemer by casting Him headlong over a cliff.

Also when His gall was poured out upon the ground, His reins was consumed within Him, and His horn was defiled in the dust. - When His Holy Face was foul with weeping, and on His eyelids was the shadow of death. How can we fail to see the similarity? But the antithesis in Job’s suffering and that of Jesus was different in its reality and accomplishment. Job’s was typical of the sufferings of Christ’s children throughout the history of the church; while the sufferings of Jesus was actually meritorious. and legally and from a penal standpoint wrought the forgiveness of His people’s sins. But yet. while it was also experimentally with Job and us, it was even so with Jesus; because he actually suffered these things as a Man as His people also suffer in the flesh. O! what a wonderful, eternal relationship that was then manifested between God the Father and His children when His Son Emmanuel was made flesh and dwelled among us, and continues to walk in us and indwell us by His Spirit!

“…In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old…”Isa 63:9.v 11 “..It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in remembrance,.” 2 Tim 2:11-14.

“… For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation…”2 Cor 1:5-7.

“…6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Look how Jesus was hated by the leaders of the people, who gnashed upon Him with their mouths seeking to tempt Him during His ministry, sharpened their eyes, or looked about for methods and ways to destroy Him, and finally accomplished their sinister desires in His crucifixion. This suffering was according to the Eternal Will and Purpose of His Father. How can we deny this from the plain testimony of the Holy Apostles and from the words of Christ Himself?v “…For Christ ALSO hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit..” 1 Pet 3:18. “… Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain..” Acts 2:23.

“…For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done…” Acts 4:27-28.v “…36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end…” Luke 22:36-37.

Not only so, but we know that some parts of the speeches of Job’s three friends were later quoted by the New Testament writers, and that in a positive light. One place that comes to mind is quoted by the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor 3:19. “…For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness…” as quoted from Eliphaz: “…He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong…”Job 5:13.

It seems that to have much understanding of the book of Job, we first must be able to somewhat distinguish who among the speakers were enabled to tell “the thing that was right” (concerning the Lord). We know that Job himself near the end of the narrative said” :… Once I have spoken; yea twice, but I will proceed no further." Job 40:4-5. And 42:2-6. “…Therefore have I uttered that I understood not: things too wonderful for me, which I know not…”.

Job’s three friends were not able to comfort him in his affliction, though they in earnest tried to do so. Why was the last speaker Elihu so much more successful in convincing Job than the other three friends of Job? Because Elihu approached Job in a different way, and his speech was based upon a different premise. The essential argument that was presented to Job by Eliphaz, Zophar and Bildad to give a reason of Job’s afflictions was that Job was deficient in something (or perhaps was even a wicked person,) therefore the whole slant of their arguments toward him: (Job 8: 6) "If thou wert pure and upright, surely now he would awake for thee and make thy habitation prosperous…"

Bildad the Shuhite had a very similar, if not identical philosophy on this subject as Eliphaz:

“… If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes (early), and make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. 7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase…” Job 8:5-7.

-With which Job did not disagree; because such knowledge (of the judgments and blessings of God) is commonly received as truth in the natural mind of man.

“…Then Job answered and said, 2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand…” Job 9:1.

Job agrees that blessings and judgments alike come from the Hand of God; but the main question and desire of Job’s heart under his affliction is: “How shall a man be just (justified) with God." His three friends seem to think (as all do who are yet traveling under the concepts and supposed conditions of a broken law, and thus are held under a legal condemnation) that Job can be justified (with God) only by works which he can perform, And that these works are wholly conditional on Job’s part for their accomplishment. Now, every poor, suffering, tried and tempted child of God, who has found no inherent righteousness within themselves, that is in their flesh to perform these (righteous) works at their own option and charges, and who are forced thereby to utter with Paul:" O! wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” will sympathize with suffering Job in such a destitute spiritual condition, while the Bildads, the Zophars and the Eliphaz’es of this world will go on relying upon their own supposed righteousness, seeking this for justification with God.

Job, in agreeing with Bildad did not necessarily sanction all of what Bildad said, but perhaps only the part where Bildad referred to God/s sovereignty, and therefore continued showing that God had the perfect right in lieu of His Divine Sovereignty to deal with man as He pleases, including bringing great afflictions upon them in accordance with His Own Counsel and Purpose. Job has before demonstrated this faith in God when these trials and afflictions first began with him and began to grow worse:

“…Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. 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 2:9-10.

No doubt, according to the Scriptures, Jesus also suffered many and much more of such contradictions of sinners against Him:

“…And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down..” Matt 4:6.

“… And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him…” Matt 27:40-42.

“…And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself…” Luke 23:37. “… And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us…” Luke 23:39.

“… Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me…” John 10:24-25.

Job had only his own human righteous to cling to, and therefore feeling his spiritual destitute condition and spiritual poverty, he was (left) righteous in his own eyes or in the goodness of his fleshly, fallen nature - because being under great trial and affliction at the time. he therefore could not be comforted with nothing else except the felt presence of an imputed righteousness of God; even the Righteousness as it is in Jesus, and as the Son of God Who is our Righteousness, only Savior and King of His people Who gave them righteousness by taking away their sin.

His three friends therefore concluded that there must be some “secret sins” in Job’s life in order to account for the afflictions that had come upon him. These rather showed great ignorance on their part of how God deals with His children, and even mankind in general. They thought that leading an upright life would shield and preserve man from all evil and afflictions. This idea comprises nearly the whole of some of there speeches. Notice Eliphaz in particular on this:

“…And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. 25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. 26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. 27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good…” Job 5:24- 27.

Eliphaz also betrays his trust and confidence in material wealth (which Job had formerly possessed much of) by Eliphaz’s many references to these things, such as silver and gold:

“… If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. 24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. 25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver…” Eliphaz- Job 22:23-25.

God has forbidden His called children to put their trust in material wealth - however, like His servant job, He has willed that some of them shall possess and use these things for good; For it is not the actual possession of material goods that is precluded from the lives of God’s children, but their undue trust in these kind of riches, and also, like many other things, their abuse of them - as every wise person realizes:

“…Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy…” 1 Tim 6:17.

Neither are they to LABOR to become rich in material wealth:

“…Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven…” Prov 23:4-5.

These conditionalists who believed that their good was in their own hand (rather in the Hand of God) always love to use the conditional word IF. (O, what an IF was there!) “.. Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me…” Job 21:16.

Zophar also betrays his ignorance in darkening words without any truthful counsel from the Spirit of God; but rather again and again leans to the side of human wisdom only - with which he attempts to heighten Job’s suffering by finding no other reason for the sufferings of the upright Job - except the judgment of God, sent upon the wicked of this earth, and which was therefore supposedly applicable to Job’s case - because Zophar could not seem to find any other reason for this great calamity that had happened to such a man as the reputable Job. I will only quote a few words from Zophar’s speeches (as they are long) but enough I hope to show my point. Zophar’s whole argument it seems, was to illustrate that Job must be suffering under the judgment of God, and that this was the reason for his afflictions. However, as any thinking person observes, there is no truth or logic to Zophar’s hypothesis, but is refuted by common observation of those who live wicked and ungodly lives in this world; (and as Job in his answer to Zophar clearly points out the deficiency of Zophar’s slant on this) and there is no reason to believe that the conditions of the world were any different in Job’s and Zophar’s time than they are at the present. Please read the whole 20th chapter of Job:

“,,,The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. 29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God…” Zophar - Job 20:27-29.

It is easy to see that Job returned an answer that clearly refuted Zophar’s wisdom on this, and a good one that can’t be refuted, -So Job could not be charged with “answering for wicked men” (as Elihu charged him with) - at least, not in these passages:

“… But Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. 7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me….”Job 21:1-16.

Common observation teaches that the above is true, and clearly refutes Zophar’s statements on this; However, consider the following comments by Job:

“… How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. 18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. 19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. 20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? 22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. 23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. 24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. 25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. 26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. 27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? 29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, 30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. 31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? 32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

Who was right - Zophar or Job? Remember, we are speaking about “the thing that is right concerning the LORD”, and does not this subject certainly have to do with the Lord’s dealings with man of this earth, And God said at the end of the narrative that “Job HAD spoken right concerning Himself”, while Job’s three friends had not. Was Job here speaking “for ungodly men”, “or answering for the wicked”, or just giving his opinion of their true estate?

“…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…” Job 42:7.

Although much has been said about the details and reasons for Job’s afflictions in God’s purpose in dealing with him in such a manner, and the main difference between Job’s attitude and doctrine than the others, it can generally be summed up in this: His friends felt that they had an inherent righteousness within themselves that made them just with God, and thus enabled them to serve Him acceptably, while Job could not find such a justifying principle within his fallen nature where sin was condemned in his mortal and dying flesh. Job’s misery in his physical maladies tended to only heighten the effects of this principle in his nature, and even finally made him curse the very day of the beginning of his mortal nature where sin and death had this dominion over him, realizing with David that he "was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did his mother conceive him"

Job’s language under severe tribulation is not only in reference to the loss of physical health; but when relating to Job’s spiritual character, these things have even much more bearing upon his renewed soul and spirit:

These were learning, and patient Job especially, along with Jeremiah:

“…O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. 25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate…” Jer 10:23-25.