It is tough to read Job, isn’t it? We’re allowed behind the scenes from the beginning where God himself declares this about Job:

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1.8, NKJV)

Blameless, upright, fears God, shuns evil… Impressive. Yet after Satan attacks his children, then his health, Satan, I believe, sends three “friends,” who do nothing but ask him to repent of his wickedness. What wickedness? Job has nothing to repent of, at least not the kinds of things his friends think he needs to repent of. Here’s Zophar:

For you have said, “My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.” But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you, That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves. (Job 11.4 – 6, NKJV)

A little Santa Claus Theology, yes? “There’s no question you’ve sinned, and God extracts his payment, probably less than you deserve.” Very comforting.

To which Job reacts:

No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you!…But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians. Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom! (Job 12.2, 13.4, 5, NKJV)

Please. Just. Shut. Up.

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12.18, NKJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue… (Proverbs 18.21, NKJV)