Friend in Need

[6:14] To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
[To him - Heb. ‘to him that is melted or dissolved with affections.’ The words may be rendered, "to him that is melted"; afflictions are like a furnace or refining pot for the melting of metals, and are called the furnace of afflictions: and saints are the metal, which are put into it. Afflictions also are the fire, of fiery trials, which heat and melt, and by which means the dross of sin and corruption is removed, and the graces of the spirit are tried and made the brighter. Though here it rather signifies the melting of the heart like wax or water through the affliction, and denotes the anguish and distress, the trembling and fears, a person is in through it, being overwhelmed and borne down by it, which was Job's case.
An afflicted man is an object of pity, one that is afflicted of G-d; either inwardly with a wounded spirit, with a sense of G-d's displeasure, with divine desertions, with the arrows of the Almighty sticking in him. The poison thereof drinking up his spirits; or outwardly with diseases of body, with want of the necessaries of life, with loss of near relations as well as substance, which was Job's case. Or afflicted by Satan, shot at, sifted and buffered by him, distressed by his temptations, suggestions, and solicitations; or afflicted by men, reproached and persecuted for righteousness sake.
But - But you have no pity for your friend; a plain confirmation that you art guilty of what you did charge me with, even of the want of the fear of G-d. The least which those that are at ease can do for them that are pained is to pity them, to feel a tender concern for them, and to sympathize with them.
Pity - a proverb. In all such cases and circumstances should be showed; which is an inward affection of the mind, sympathy of spirit, a sensible feeling of the afflictions of others. Which is expressed by gestures, motions, and actions, as by visiting them in their affliction, speaking comfortably to them, and relieving their necessities according to ability and as the case requires.
Friend - This may be expected from a friend, and what the law of friendship requires, whether it is in a natural and civil sense, or in a religious and spiritual one. The union between friends being so near and close, that they are, as it were, one soul, as the people of G-d, members of the same body is, so that if one suffers, all the rest do, or should suffer and sympathize with it. Though this duty is not always performed, at least as it should be, by natural and spiritual friends, yet this grace is always shown by G-d, who is a friend that loves at all times.
He forsaketh the fear of the Almighty - or "melts in pity to his friend, he forsakes" … that is, he that fails in pity, is destitute of compassion, and shuts up the bowels of it to his friend in distress, has not the fear of G-d before his eyes. In this sense makes Job himself to be the friend in affliction, and Eliphaz, and those with him, the persons that are lacking in their mercy, pity, and compassion. The word for pity is so used in (Prov. 14:34); and the reproach on Job was, that he had cast off the fear of G-d, (4:6) (15:4). This grieved him most of all, and added to his affliction, and of which he complains as very cruel usage; and very cutting it was that he should be reckoned a man destitute of the fear of
G-d, and that because he was afflicted by him; though rather the following words, charity is the love which judges indulgently of our fellow men: it is put on a par with truth in Prov. 3:3, for they together form the essence of moral perfection. It is the spirit of a Believer (1 Pet. 4:8; 1 Co 13:7; Prov. 10:12; 17:17), if it ought to be used towards all men, much more towards friends, but he who does not use it forsaketh (renounces) the fear of the Almighty (Jas 2:13). To show mercy to an afflicted friend is a religious act, a part of pure and undefiled religion, a branch of the fear of G-d; and he that neglects it is so far wanting in it, and acts contrary to his profession of G-d, of fear of Him, and love to Him; see (James 1:26) (1 John 3:17).
Eliphaz had, in effect, despised Job; and on this ground had acted any thing but the part of a friend towards him; and he well deserved the severe stroke which he here receives. A FRIEND IN NEED is a FRIEND INDEED Job's friends, so called, supported each other in their attempts to blacken the character of this worthy man; and their hand became the heavier, because they supposed the hand of G-d was upon him. He who, malignant, tears an absent friend and friendship's secrets knows not to conceal.
1. Compassion is a debt owing to those that are in affliction. The least which those that are at ease can do for those that are pained and in anguish is to pity them,--to manifest the sincerity of a tender concern for them, and to sympathize with them,--to take cognizance of their case, enquire into their grievances, hear their complaints, and mingle their tears with theirs,--to comfort them, and to do all they can to help and relieve them. This well becomes the members of the same body, who should feel for the grievances of their fellow-members, not knowing how soon the same may be their own.
2. Inhumanity is impiety and irreligion. He that withholds compassion from his friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. How dwells the love of G-d in that man? 1 John 3:17. Surely those have no fear of the rod of G-d upon themselves who have no compassion for those that feel the smart of it. James 1:27.
3. Troubles are the trials of friendship. When a man is afflicted he will see who are his friends indeed and who are but pretenders; for a brother is born for adversity, Prov. 17:17, 18:24.]
What kind of friend do you want to be?
Do you show pity or compassion?
Do you stick with them through their bad times as well as the good times?