We've previously studied that Eliphaz the Temanite assumed that God had allowed Job to suffer because he probably wasn't as righteous and upright as he had appeared to be. Bildad the Shuhite believed Job had caused his current condition as a consequence of some unrepentant sin in his life. Now, Zophar the Naamathite would make his accusation.
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: “Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.’ But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you, that He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. (Job 11:1-6)
Zophar came right out with accusing Job of deserving what he was going through because of iniquity. Iniquity means immoral or grossly unfair behavior. This was a very strong accusation from a "friend". He seemed very frustrated with all of Job's lamenting after the previous two friends had spoken, to the point he wished God would speak, and open His lips against Job.
Zophar continued, “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven— what can you do? Deeper than Sheol— what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. “If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, then who can hinder Him? For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? For an empty-headed man will be wise, when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man. (Job 11:7-12)
“If you would prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward Him; if iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, and would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; then surely you could lift up your face without spot; yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; because you would forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away, and your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. And you would be secure, because there is hope; yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; yes, many would court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope—loss of life!” (Job 11:13-20)
Zophar not only accused Job of iniquity, but also of being wicked. He suggested that if Job would prepare his heart, and stretch out his hands toward Him, then God would forgive, deliver and restore him. That is indeed how we get back in fellowship with God if we have gone astray. “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart,... rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
Then Job answered and said: “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these? I am one mocked by his friends, who called on God, and He answered him, the just and blameless who is ridiculed. A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease; it is made ready for those whose feet slip. The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure— in what God provides by His hand. (Job 12:1-6)
Job quickly defended himself, that he was not better or less than his friends. Again, he states that his friends were stating the obvious perceived consequences of sin and turning away from God; but there were also those who did not have fellowship with God, one who is at ease, living in darkness, robbing and prospering, in what God provides by His hand.
We must understand that even though the wicked seem to prosper and enjoy all this world has to offer, this is all they will have. From men of the world who have their portion in this life, and whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, and leave the rest of their possession for their babes. As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. (Psalm 17:14-15) Our goal should be to have an eternal reward, not just a temporary earthly one.
Zophar not only accused Job of iniquity, but also of being wicked. He suggested that if Job would prepare his heart, and stretch out his hands toward Him, then God would forgive, deliver and restore him. That is indeed how we get back in fellowship with God if we have gone astray. “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart,... rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
Then Job answered and said: “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these? I am one mocked by his friends, who called on God, and He answered him, the just and blameless who is ridiculed. A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease; it is made ready for those whose feet slip. The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure— in what God provides by His hand. (Job 12:1-6)
Job quickly defended himself, that he was not better or less than his friends. Again, he states that his friends were stating the obvious perceived consequences of sin and turning away from God; but there were also those who did not have fellowship with God, one who is at ease, living in darkness, robbing and prospering, in what God provides by His hand.
We must understand that even though the wicked seem to prosper and enjoy all this world has to offer, this is all they will have. From men of the world who have their portion in this life, and whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, and leave the rest of their possession for their babes. As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. (Psalm 17:14-15) Our goal should be to have an eternal reward, not just a temporary earthly one.
Job continued, “But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? Does not the ear test words and the mouth taste its food? Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding. (Job 12:7-12)
“With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding. If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; if He imprisons a man, there can be no release. If He withholds the waters, they dry up; if He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth. With Him are strength and prudence. The deceived and the deceiver are His. He leads counselors away plundered, and makes fools of the judges. He loosens the bonds of kings, and binds their waist with a belt. He leads princes away plundered, and overthrows the mighty. He deprives the trusted ones of speech, and takes away the discernment of the elders. He pours contempt on princes, and disarms the mighty. He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light. He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them. He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless wilderness. They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man. (Job 12:13-25)
Job made it very clear that God has complete control over everything that happens on this earth and to every living thing on this earth. Even if He doesn't cause it, He allows it. If man had control, we would not do any of the things that Job described above; but Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8) For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ... Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (I Corinthians 1:19-25)
Job concluded his defense and observations, “Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But you forgers of lies, you are all worthless physicians. Oh, that you would be silent, and it would be your wisdom! Now hear my reasoning, and heed the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for Him? Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man? He will surely rebuke you if you secretly show partiality. Will not His excellence make you afraid, and the dread of Him fall upon you? Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay. (Job 13:1-12)
Basically, Job told his "friends" to shut up! Their silence would prove them to have more wisdom than their words. We can not assume and accuse people of anything, because we don't know their hearts. We can judge actions, because those we can see and determine if someone has done right or wrong. But Job was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1) That's all his "friends" or anyone else ever knew about him, so therefore to make assumptions of some secret sin, unrepentance, or wickedness in his life showed their lack of wisdom and understanding of the mind of God.
Job made it very clear that God has complete control over everything that happens on this earth and to every living thing on this earth. Even if He doesn't cause it, He allows it. If man had control, we would not do any of the things that Job described above; but Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8) For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ... Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (I Corinthians 1:19-25)
Job concluded his defense and observations, “Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But you forgers of lies, you are all worthless physicians. Oh, that you would be silent, and it would be your wisdom! Now hear my reasoning, and heed the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for Him? Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man? He will surely rebuke you if you secretly show partiality. Will not His excellence make you afraid, and the dread of Him fall upon you? Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay. (Job 13:1-12)
Basically, Job told his "friends" to shut up! Their silence would prove them to have more wisdom than their words. We can not assume and accuse people of anything, because we don't know their hearts. We can judge actions, because those we can see and determine if someone has done right or wrong. But Job was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1) That's all his "friends" or anyone else ever knew about him, so therefore to make assumptions of some secret sin, unrepentance, or wickedness in his life showed their lack of wisdom and understanding of the mind of God.
“Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, then let come on me what may! Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hands? Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him. Listen carefully to my speech, and to my declaration with your ears. See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated. Who is he who will contend with me? If now I hold my tongue, I perish." (Job 13:13-19) Job would continue by praying to God directly...
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