Job makes effective counter-arguments. Eliphaz gets nasty. Job responds by noting that they’re not only wrong, they’re miserable comforters.

Job notes the obvious empirical evidence disproving their theology of instant justice. But he gets caught up in the details of his innocence. He’s starting to lose perspective.

Job’s friends “encourage” Job by arguing that God is always just, thus accusing Job of major sin. Job counters the accusation, and also notes that they’re not exactly comforting him.

Job is crushed by these calamities and cries out in pain. His wife and friends provide little comfort.

Many people consider Job to be the most troubling book in the Bible. No other book confronts the reader with God’s sovereign priorities as bluntly as Job does. There’s no explaining away what it says. That’s painful to deal with but stick with it and the rewards are great. A deep study of Job can produce profound growth.