How about this. In the short narrative within Job 42:8-9, God relates to Job’s three friends that God is angry with them. God tells the friends to offer a sacrifice and then says, “‘… My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.’" In short, God was angry; God says, Job will pray for you, and I will not be angry anymore. Job prays. God forgives the three friends.

Why did God wait for Job to ask?

In answering this question, don't forget that Job's three friends had really been, as Hannah might say, butts.

Read the story here.