Do you know why others are suffering? Job 11

Job 11:1-3 (NASBStr)

 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,

 “Shall a multitude of words go unanswered,

And a talkative man be acquitted?

 “Shall your boasts silence men?

And shall you scoff and none rebuke?

Everyone needs a Zophar in their lives.  They are the person who doesn't couch their words with niceties so we feel good at the end.  They are the one simply thinks if something bad has happened to you then you deserve the bad  you are getting.  Unlike Job's other friends, Zophar see pain and suffering in a different context.   Note what the World Biblical Commentary authors have to say on Zophar:

WBC:  "Whereas for Eliphaz Job's suffering is brought about by some relatively trifling sin and is therefore bound to be soon relieved (4:5- 6), and for Bildad also Job's essential righteousness is confirmed by the fact that he, unlike his children, has not been cut off from life (8:4- 6), for Zophar Job's suffering is nothing but deserved suffering. Both Eliphaz and Bildad set the suffering of their friend in a particular context:Eliphaz in the context of Job's evidently near- blameless life, Bildad in the context of the fate of Job's children. From either perspective, Job's suffering is qualified and thus- to the satisfaction of the first two friends- suitably mollified. Zophar perceives no such context for Job's pain. The fact is, he would say, that Job is suffering, and suffering is inevitably the product of sin."

We all have these friends.  Their conclusion is automatic when they see tough times for others.  The simply ask, "I wondered what they did to deserve that?"  We, because God allowed us to, know what is really going on with Job.  That makes Zophar such a fool in our eyes.  Yet, when have we not been Zophar to others?  When have we not looked at the pain and suffering of others and supposed they are doing some ill against God?   A couple goes through a divorce and we assume that one or both of the partners are evil.   Yet, when Paul and Barnabas went through a separation of ministry, who was the sinner?   Let's not become Zophar to the lives of others.  Let's realize that bad things happen to good people because of sin in the world but not necessarily because of THEIR sin in the world.   Let's allow the Jobs in our lives to know that God is working in their lives and whatever the "reason" for the difficulty the "solution" is continued faith in God.  Not, as Zophar tells Job in the above context: Shut up and take your medicine you evil man!!