Who needs enemies when you have friends like Job's? Eliphaz didn't like Job defending himself against their words and began harassing and accusing him. His main argument against him was that they were older and wiser. Older doesn't necessarily mean wiser, though some still think that way. Being university-educated doesn't mean they're wiser either, but it could mean they're indoctrinated, so be careful who you listen to for advice. If your friend is going through a rough time, don't add to their misery by being reckless with your words. They need comfort, not condemnation. If God sends you to console someone, follow His guidance for what to say. Eliphaz was angry with Job because he didn't accept their counsel, so he added insult to injury. It would have been better for his friends to sit quietly with him, let him pour out his broken heart, and respond with pity rather than try to correct any behavior they thought caused his condition. I love that God included this book in the canon of scripture to teach us how to treat one another and how not to react to someone’s misfortune.
For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit. Job 15:34-35
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