Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Job 4:1-2 KJV
The best thing the friends of Job had done to this point was be present and be quiet. People that are suffering need people around that are willing to listen. Such will always be good medicine for them. But the friends of Job, at this point, give in to a weakness that most of us have, they felt compelled to speak, even though they knew their words would hurt rather than help. There is no question their open mouths were the wrong thing to do, because God rebukes them at the end of the book (42:7). The simple lesson for us is to be quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19). Had Eliphaz and his companions continued to follow this plan they would have become know as the friends that comforted Job.
Lord, I am ashamed that too often I have opened my mouth when what I should have done was listen. Help me be slow to speak and quick to hear that I might be a friend that comforts, instead of a friend like those of Job.
