Job 11
Big idea: Zophar is the bluntest of the three and the only one who states the accusation as a quantity: God is exacting of you less than your iniquity deserves. His argument is that the depth of God is unknowable, so a man's protest of innocence is not worth hearing.
Zophar's 'can you find out the deep things of God?' is answered by God himself in chapter 38 — asked of Job, but with a completely different purpose.
11:1–12 — Can you find out the deep things of God?
There is no courtesy in the opening at all. Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no one make you ashamed? He then quotes Job back — you say, my doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes — and wishes for the one thing Job has been asking for, but with the opposite expectation: oh that God would speak and open his lips against you, that he would show you the secrets of wisdom. Both men want God to answer; only one expects to be vindicated by it.
1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered, 2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? 3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed? 4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’ 5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you, 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. 7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him? 11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it. 12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
11:13–20 — You will forget your misery
The offer is the standard one and it is put with real warmth: if you set your heart aright and stretch out your hands toward him, if iniquity is in your hand and you put it far away, and do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents — surely then you will lift up your face without spot; you will be steadfast and not fear.
13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him. 14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents. 15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear, 16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away. 17 Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning. 18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety. 19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).