Eliphaz Reveals Hidden Pain

Eliphaz is the first of Job's friend to speak to him.  He really sets the tone for the other 2 friends.  The summary of his message to Job in so many words is "you have sinned . . . how could you?!"  The underlying message, or I should say "emotion," that I perceive on this reading of Job is sort of a sense of disappointment and disillusionment from Eliphaz.  It seems to me that Job's condition is far and away worse than Eliphaz even imagined.  Remember they sat with him for 7 days and were silent. 

"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 2:13

They were able to fully take in his woeful state.  I don't get the sense that they physically ministered unto job during this time.  I think they used this time to speculate as to how in the world this righteous man could come into such utter misfortune.  They had plenty of time to ponder this before any of them spoke a word and it is Elephaz we hear from first.  I think these words summarize the opinions of the group and also show a bit of a let down for them because it seems they took Job to be the perfect model of a strong man.  He clearly had a history of leadership and was viewed as a example to follow:

"Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.  Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees." -- Job 4:3-4

In this chapter you hear a little bit of anger coming from Eliphaz because I believe for him Job was his Superman and now he appears to have been somewhat of a charlatan and a hypocrate.  This all appears to be based on a strong belief that God would never only allow such tradgedy to come to a righeous man -- therefore Job was really NOT righteous.  These things only happen to the wicked!

"who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?  Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." -- Job 4:7-8

Therefore, and here's the ire for Eliphaz, Job must have been faking it all along.  How could he!  Who did he think he was kidding?!  How could I have put this man so high on a pedestal!  This causes, I think, some psychological pain for Eliphaz (for Bildad and Zophar as well).  They wanted Job to be real.  They couldn't stomach him as they now say him.  Could it be that they fail to truely minister to their friend because they were so let down by him?