Job chapter 11
After Job finishes, Zophar the Naamathite jumps in. He says Job suffers because he sinned, and that he got off lightly. He deserves worse that he got.
ZOPHAR SAYS JOB DESERVES WORSE THAN HE GOT
VERSE 1. Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
Zophar. He may have been the youngest of the three “friends.” He comes across as the most arrogant of them all.
VERSE 2. “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
a man full of talk. For a long time, Job had not talked at all. Then he spoke to respond to the stupid things his “friends” kept saying to them.
Job’s three “friends” were the problem. They were the men full of talk. But they make it seem that Job is the problem.
VERSE 3. Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
When you mock. Job never mocked the LORD God. Nor any person.
But now Zophar speaks as if it is an established fact.
VERSE 4. For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
VERSE 5. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
VERSE 6. that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
For true wisdom has two sides. Literally “there are two sides to wisdom.”
The NAB translation puts it this way:
the secrets of wisdom are twice as effective.
God exacts … less than your iniquity deserves. That is, Job got off lightly. He deserves worse that he got.
VERSE 7. “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
VERSE 8. They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
Sheol. This was thought to be the place of the dead.
VERSE 9. Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
VERSE 10. If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
VERSE 11. For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
VERSE 12. An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
VERSE 13. “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
VERSE 14. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
iniquity. That is, sin.
iniquity is in your hand. Zophar assumes that Job suffers because he sinned.
In our day, many Christians make this flawed assumption.
Worse, that they tell that to people who are deep in the throws of suffering.
Let’s not tell people why they suffer. In reality, we will never have the Big Picture from God’s perspective. We will never know why people suffer.
VERSE 15. Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
VERSE 16. for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Job and from the entire Bible.
VERSE 17. Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.
VERSE 18. You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.
VERSE 19. Also you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.
VERSE 20. But the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”
JOB
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Job’s Dark Night
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.