God addressed Eliphaz but also had Bildad and Zophar in view. He evidently excluded Elihu because he had not misrepresented God as the other three friends had. Their error was limiting God's sovereignty. By asserting that God always punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous in this life they were limiting God and committing a sin that required a sacrifice for atonement (covering). Modern prosperity theology advocates should take note!
Job evidently forgave his friends as God had forgiven him (cf. Matt. 6:12) and prayed for them as a priest (cf. 1:5; Matt. 5:44). Job stood as a mediator between his friends and God. He had previously felt the need of a mediator himself.
Rather than judging Job, God accepted him because he was indeed His "servant,"not the rebel that his friends accused him of being. The writer used the word "servant"four times in these verses.
