Job responds to his so-called friend Eliphaz by making a statement of which most of us would agree: “You are miserable comforters, all of you!” (16:2). Again, the goal of his friends was to have Job confess to something that was not true. But, holding firm to his integrity, Job would not do it.

Job was bewildered regarding the reason for his misfortune. But he seems even more bewildered by the response of his friends and acquaintances. He states, “People open their mouths to jeer at me; they strike my cheek in scorn and unite together against me” (16:10). Whether striking the cheek is meant literally or figuratively, these responses were painful to Job.

The beautiful thing about Job, which is often missed in the back-and-forth dialogue, is his hope in God in the midst of his loss. Three wonderful verses are placed in the center of his response. He exclaims, “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for his friend” (16:19–21).

Earlier in the book, we read that Job was looking for an arbitrator. Now, he declares that he has an advocate in heaven that is pleading on his behalf. Job is certain that even if men and women falsely accuse him, he has an advocate in heaven. We know that Advocate to be Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).

In the crucible of his conflict, one of two things is happening. Either Job is progressively sharing more of the truth he knows, or Job is realizing more about God in the midst of his turmoil. Either way, it is a reminder to us that often we walk closer to God during times of pain and are more open to His truth when we hurt.

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