On the list of "Top 10 Things You Shouldn't Say to the Suffering," we would surely find Zophar's choice words of "Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves" (vs. 6). Zophar believes that, in spite of everything that Job has been through, he's actually getting off easy!
Job has steadfastly maintained his innocence, and Zophar - like his two pals Eliphaz and Bildad - is having none of it. He is offended on God's behalf by Job's protestations of purity and his insolent questioning of the Lord. Job is self-evidently guilty by virtue of the reality of his suffering (only the evil suffer!) and by his attitude that God has somehow made a mistake in punishing him.
"Just who do you think you are, Job?" is the underlying theme of Zophar's approach when he questions Job. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find the limit of the Almighty?" (vs. 7) While Zophar is right to point out that God is beyond understanding and searching out, he also unfairly faults Job for giving voice to his complaints that he doesn't understand why he is suffering so.
Again, perhaps to soften his words, Zophar holds out the hope to Job of restoration. If Job will simply admit that he is in the wrong and that God is in the right, God will rally to Job's side and bless him even more than he did before. Zophar's understanding of the universe is dependent upon God following iron-clad rules of justice and mercy. There is no room for the possibility that the righteous will suffer and the wicked will prosper.
If you are looking for compassion among Job's friends, I'm afraid you will not find it!
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