Hi,

Question on the book of Job.

Why exactly are Job's friends scolded at the end of the book? And why are they generally seen as giving terrible advice.

Just reading some of what they say, at least on the surface, doesn't sound completely outlandish.
Things such as people deserving of punishment, the godless perish, God to reject the wicked and comfort the suffering etc.
I mean, I read chapter 8 of Job recently and what Bildad says doesn't sound so bad.

The only thing I can think of is that Job's friends were assuming Job did something evil to deserve his suffering even though God himself called Job blameless in chapter 1.
So, they were in a sense, putting words in God's mouth and casting judgement on Job. Is this on the right track?

Thanks

Yes, it is. The only thing you can think of happens to be the right answer.

The entire point of the book of Job is that not all suffering is punishment for sin, sometimes bad things just happen and no one can explain why.