Albert Barnes Commentary Job 21:34

"How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth [only] falsehood?" — Job 21:34 (ASV)

How then comfort ye me in vain ... - That is, how can you be qualified to give me consolation in my trials, who have such erroneous views of the government and dealings of God? True consolation could be founded only on correct views of the divine government; but such views, Job says, they had not. With their conceptions of the divine administration, they could not administer to him any real consolation.

From this, we may learn:

1. That all real consolation in trial must be based on correct understandings of the divine character and plans. Falsehood, delusion, error, can give no permanent comfort.

2. Those whose office it is to administer consolation to the afflicted should seek after the truth about God and his government.

   They should strive to learn why he afflicts people, what purpose he intends to accomplish, and what are the proper purposes of trial.

   They should have an unwavering conviction that he is right, and should see as far as possible why he is right, before they attempt to comfort others.

   Their own souls should be filled with the fullest conviction that all the ways of God are holy, and then they should go and strive to pour their convictions into other hearts and help them feel that way too.

   A minister of the gospel who has unsettled, erroneous, or false views of the character and government of God is poorly qualified for his station and will be a miserable comforter to those who are in trial.

   Truth alone sustains the soul in affliction. Truth only can inspire confidence in God. Truth only can break the force of sorrow and enable the sufferer to look up to God and to heaven with confidence and joy.

(The end of Part One of the Commentary on Job)