Fri.’s Devo - Job’s Friends Arrive

Read Job 2:11-13 The rest of Job has to do with the conversations he has with his three friends, and eventually a forth, that come to comfort him and give their opinion about what has happened to Job, God, and the universe. The first friend was Eliphaz the Temanite. Eliphaz means God of fine gold: my God has refined. That tells us that he had much wisdom that had to be refined since the Bible compares gold to wisdom. Job’s dilemma was part of his refining. Temanite means southern so he came from the south which usually has to do with the underground where hell is. (I’m sure he had a twang!) Bildad, the second friend means confusing (by mingling) love. He is from Bildad which means a pit or a jackal which also has to do with hell. The third friend was Zophar the Naamathite. Zophar means departing early: a climber. He is from Naamathite which means pleasant. (Now that’s a pleasant change.) These three friends were of equal social status as Job: wealthy, leaders, and considered wise. They traveled to come and sit and mourn with Job for 7 days!!! When they saw him a distance away they wailed and cried, rent their garments and sprinkled dust on their heads because of the horrible state Job was in. The whole time they sat with Job, they never said a word. They just consoled him with their presence. I have to say that I am impressed. Who in our days would leave their busy lives and take a weeks vacation to just come and sit in the dust with a friend. That is true intercession. Lord, that we would learn to be friends that know how to comfort those who mourn like Job’s friend did.