UNROLL
First light over a vast bare plain running to a level horizon; one tiny robed man stands far out on it, seen from behind, under an immense, calm, empty sky.

The Book of

Job 11

Zophar speaks, the last of the three in round one. Job has just asked God why. Zophar tells him he has got off lightly.

20 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–3The testBlameless, stripped of everything, and his cry
  2. 4–14Round oneThe friends speak; Job answersChapter 11
  3. 15–21Round twoMy Redeemer lives
  4. 22–31Round threeThen wisdom, and Job's last defense
  5. 32–37ElihuA younger voice
  6. 38–41The LORD speaksOut of the whirlwind
  7. 42The endJob prays and is restored

Zophar Rebukes Job

Zophar
Full morning light at the gray ash mound outside the town: Zophar in his madder-red robe is already on his feet, arms folded, chin up, while the two older friends still sit on the ground behind him.

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

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Zophar

“Should this stream of words go unanswered

and such a speaker be vindicated?

Should your babbling put others to silence?

Will you scoff without rebuke?

You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound,

and I am pure in Your sight.’

But if only God would speak

and open His lips against you,

and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,

for true wisdom has two sides.

Know then that God exacts from you

less than your iniquity deserves.

Zophar

God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves

Zophar
Zophar

Can you fathom the deep things of God

Job 11:7

Question

Quick question

Zophar is sure he knows how much Job deserves.

What does Zophar say God exacts from Job?

Zophar
Zophar

If He comes along to imprison you,

or convenes a court, who can stop Him?

Surely He knows the deceit of men.

If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

But a witless man can no more become wise

than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

Zophar
Dawn in a stony wadi after a flood: the water is gone, the wet stones shine and the mud lies smooth, and a small robed man stands with his hands lifted in the lower third under a calm, pale, clear sky.

As for you, if you direct your heart

and lift up your hands to Him,

if you put away the iniquity in your hand,

and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish;

you will stand firm and unafraid.

For you will forget your misery,

recalling it only as waters gone by.

Your life will be brighter than noonday;

its darkness will be like the morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope,

and you will look around and lie down in safety.

0:29

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Zophar
Zophar

You will lie down without fear,

and many will court your favor.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail,

and escape will elude them;

they will hope for their last breath.”

Reflect

If, then

Zophar says that if Job puts things right, life will be “brighter than noonday.” Do you ever bargain with God: if I do this, You will do that? Write down what you would still love Him for if the bargain failed.

One rule, three voices

EliphazI have seen itBildadthe fatherstaught itZopharyou deserve worseThe same rulesin, then sufferingRepent and berestoredthe same advice

Whiteboard

Experience, tradition, and plain assertion. Three friends, one answer. None of them has asked Job what he needs.

You’ve experienced

Job 11

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A verse to carry with you

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:7

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