Big Idea - In chapters 22-27, we find the last cycle of speeches between Job and his friends. It is laid out in debate format, and in the end, Job soundly defeats the logic and arguments of his friends. He holds firmly to his integrity and righteousness. His friends have not convinced him his suffering is a result of any great sin or wickedness he has committed. But winning the debate does not solve anything. If their goal was to encourage Job, they have failed terribly. In fact, the debate format has only made them all enemies and pushed each further into their own corners. In the end, the friends and Job have not moved closer to a healthy understanding of what is going on in Job's life or in a better understanding of God. Instead, the debate has pushed each side farther away from God. The friends have a wrong understanding of God based on a wrong understanding of how God works in the world. Job has the wrong idea of God based on his personal experience. The only right understanding of God can come from revelation. As the first half of the book draws to an end, things have only gotten worse - Job is not only suffering from a great tragedy, but he feels attacked and condemned by his "best friends" and even more alienated from God. His friends, despite Job's superior answers and logic, feel more arrogant and smug in their bad theology. It is a disaster! But the sad truth is that all too often, we can do the same thing to our friends! Even the most well-meaning friends can end up dragging down those who are hurting into even lower realms of discouragement but our misguided efforts to "help." So, what can we learn from Job's failed counselors about helping those who are hurting?

Job's friends come with good intentions, desiring to help, but they illustrate how the best of intentions cannot overcome bad advice! We see in their approach three errors we must avoid if we want to really help those who are hurting. First, they think they speak for God, but they do not. Second, their goal is to fix Job, not comfort him. Third, they are so focused on what they have to say they never really listen to Job's complaints. Fourth, when Job doesn't take their great advice, they become adversarial instead of supportive. What does Job really need? 1) A friend who points him to God rather than giving answers. 2) A friend who will really listen. 3) A friend who will understand, even if they don't fully agree. 4) A friend who will point him toward God and let God speak for Himself. That is, knowing God based on what He has revealed about Himself, in creation, the Word, Jesus, and the Cross.