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Job's friend responds

 Batting lead off for the Friends of Job is Eliphaz from Teman.  The first of Job's friends to speak after seven days of silence. His name means "my God is fine gold".

He claims a spirit gave him an explanation for Job's troubles.  This points to the danger of spiritual experiences without discernment.   Contrast Eliphaz with true prophets and how God shows up at the end of the book. Yet he does not question the source of his experience.  A demonic encounter gives him confidence that he has the truth about why Job is suffering.  Of course he may have just added that part to discount what Job says. Sounds more impressive if it is not just his opinion.

Of course the interesting thing about the three friends is that their erroneous explanations are in the Bible.  The writer could have left all this out and gone straight to the encounter with God.   Oh the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. We may not fully understand why but God wants this here for our instruction, but He does. We benefit by all that happened to Job including the accusations of his friends.  Thanks be to God.

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