Job again responds to his "friends", he does not consider them to be particularly helpful friends! If the situation was reversed, then Job could quite easily give similar advice as his friends were giving. We need to appreciate the difference between being in the situation and looking in from the outside. Now an outside observer can sometimes give useful advice, but there are things he will never appreciate.
However, Job does not say they should say nothing. Instead, he says they should offer words of encouragement and comfort (v5). We should consider whether we are seeking to actually help someone or just sound clever.
As an aside, consider what a privilege we have in Jesus. He came into our world, He is the high priest who can truly sympathise with us.
Job then turns back to his own troubles. It doesn't matter whether he keeps silent or whether he speaks, there is no relief. God seems to be utterly against him, he holds God fully responsible for what is happening.
Yet even in the midst of this (v18-21) he knows he has an intercessor in heaven. It is in the darkest days that our faith becomes deepest. When we have nothing left to do but to hold on to God we become more aware of the treasures in the gospel.
Note that Job does not seek to absolve God of responsibility. Of course Job's rantings are at best part of the truth, but he is right in saying that ultimately God has decreed it.
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