1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

At one time I had long flowing hair, I wore bellbottom jeans, tie-dyed shirts, and leather sandals. I was the picture of what I was during those days. It was my uniform. Then there were the undercover agents who dressed the part but their true uniform was blue. You wouldn’t know it until they showed up in court to testify against you.

Life has always presented an opportunity to dress the part. What you wore said much about who you were or at least who you presented yourself to be to the world. It is a primary advertising scheme. The issue here is not who you are but what are you selling?

Paul was the ultimate salesman for Christ, he could fit in anywhere making his pitch for salvation to a whole range of citizens. It was not so much that Paul was looking to be accepted as much as it was to avoid being rejected. Once he was part of a group his heart lead others to Christ, not his garments.

Mark 12:38-40 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Paul loved people not position. He sought to praise God and not the praise of men. He did not allow appearance to interfere with his ministry.

Job 2:13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Job’s friends came to console Job in his grief. I can understand how they felt, not having the words to comfort their dear friend. Seven days they kept silent. That is a long time to remain silent.

Then Eliphaz said to Job in 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

What was running through the mind of his friend that he should try and comfort Job with these words?

Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Pour it on.

Bildad speaks in 8:6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

Are you sure these are friends?

Zophar says in 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

Okay, I’ve heard enough. Why would men that love Job speak to him in this way?

What I find difficult here is not that these men misspoke but that they used biblical precepts and scriptures to wound Job above that which he already suffered. You will find scriptures similar to these in Psalms and Proverbs but here they are poorly used. They are taken out of context, much like I picked and chose to use them here.

All the good which might have been done in anything else said is undone in these words.

Ecclesiastes 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Let my words be few.