Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that Job's family and friends "gave up" on him because he repeatedly refused to accept their "starting premise" that God must be evil to have caused (or at least allowed) the suffering that Job experienced. From their point of view, any help that they might render to Job would be useless, because God would just continue to afflict him despite anything that he (or they) might do.

Also, as exemplified by Job's three "friends" (Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad), they all indicated a belief that Job must have done something horrendous to experience such seeming wrath from God, and thus were frustrated with him for refusing to accept their reasoning.

August 14 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Job 19:19: All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

Today, there are families and friends in this world, lovers of their own selves. Covetous boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents unthankful, and unholy. Having no natural affection, irreconcilable, false accusers incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are “good” and who suffer and go through trials and tribulations. (2 Tim 3:2-3) At times these family and friends are the ones who abandon the one who suffers not knowing that the one who suffers is not of the world for the one who goes through trials and testing. If you are of the world the world will love you as its own.

Lord Jesus said, "You shall have tribulation in the world, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." (John 15:19/16:33) Job, being sent forth as a sheep in the midst of wolves, he was wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. (Mat 10:16) For he was blameless, he feared God the Father, and eschewed evil in the midst of wolves that stood around him. The family and friends who abandon the one who suffers not knowing that the one who suffers is not of the world though being destroyed yet with a clean heart shall see God the Father during the end times. (Job 19:22-26)

Every child of God goes through tribulation in this world; to overcome the world one needs to hearken to the voice of God the Father through His Son, our Lord Jesus. Every child is planted in the vineyard; when you do not bear fruit, you are dug around and fertilized in wisdom by the Lord who guides you in spirit and truth. (Lk 13:8) Every child of God the Father shall go through trials and tribulations, but one needs to have faith in God. For the ones who started hating you, they shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim 3:13)

James 1:12: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

August 27 2024 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Also, besides the answer already given that Job deserves the suffering he has experienced, are 2 other possible answers:

(1) Some "friends" and even family can't handle pain and suffering. It hurts even them. I know for years when we had to part at the end of a summer after having spent so much time with my beloved cousins, that it was so, so hard to say goodbye. Sometimes, I just removed myself from this situation somehow. 

(2) Some people just don't have sympathy and think that the sufferer is just whining. 

See fuller explanations in the Quest Study Bible.

August 15 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report