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I have often thought about this question. It seems to me that Job's friends are right in the sense of correctly expounding Deuteronomic theology, but are wrong in how they are applying that theology to Job's situation. The logic of Job's friends goes like this: sin results in suffering. Job is suffering. Therefore the suffering must be the direct result of some great sin(s). The problem with this reasoning of course, is that it is backwards. There might be another reason for Job's suffering, as indeed there is (since we know the prologue). I do not believe that the book of Job is in any way intended to make the friends of Job look stupid, or even that they are heretics. Yes, I know that Job has to intercede for them in the end, but that is because Job's friends sinned in their theology's application. So, absolutely, preach as positive theology the arguments of Job's friends. Just don't make the same kinds of application as they do!
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