Job 11 - 13:19, Zophar the Jerk-ite, and Job's Response

If you're just joining us here at the SoWhatRamblings blog, raise your hand and one of the ushers will give you a complimentary bag of oatmeal, a pamphlet regarding our yoga class for Seniors, (led by Richard Simmons), and an envelope where you can donate money to the Travis Mansion Fund. Our motto is: "God's already building me a mansion in Heaven, so why not have one down here too?"

Um...right. Sorry Church Lady. Just kidding.

In all seriousness, we're walking through the Bible book of Job. Job was a righteous man who suffered much and thereby asked many of the "Why God?" questions we've all asked ourselves. If you want a more detailed explanation, go back and read the Job blogs previously written. Today we're getting into chapters 11 and 12. Please follow along in your Bible or wise-phone.

Hey Job, want a friend? Job? Don't run away!

I have decided I would like to be Job's friend. The poor guy obviously didn't have any. All of his so called buddies just hung around and told him how sorry and sinful he was. He needed a guy who will just hang out with him, drink a cold glass of sweet tea, and just be there. That's what I want from my friends and my wife when I'm hurting. Unfortunately Job doesn't have such luxury. His wife's a nag and his friends are jerks. Is it going to get better today in chapter 11? Nope. The next "friend", Zophar, steps up to offer his "advice." Ugh.

"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you...Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves," (2-6, selected verses). 

And with that, Zophar confirms he is the south end of a "Equus ferus caballus". He tells Job he's talking too much, he's arrogant and God should be treating Job a whole lot worse because of his sin. In all of his suffering Job should be grateful it isn't worse. Thanks Zophar. Are you done

"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven--what can you do?...For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man." (7-12)

Translation: "Job, you're too stupid to understand all God is doing. You're too small to understand his ways. God judges sinful worthless men and you don't have the sense to understand what he's doing!" I find it ironic that Zophar can understand God, (because he tells Job about God's ways), and at the same time he says God is too high and awesome to be understood by Job. He then tells Job that he will understand God when "pigs fly", i.e. when donkeys give birth to men. What a pleasant individual Zophar is.

Finally, Zophar concludes by telling Job to repent and everything will be gravy, (never mind the fact that Job's kids and servants are all dead and he's lost everything).

"If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands towards him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents...You will forget your misery...and your life will be brighter than the noonday...You will lie down, and none will make you afraid" ...AND JESUS WILL GIVE YOU A MILLION DOLLARS! HALLELUJAH! (sorry, I added that part. It seemed appropriate). (13-20, selected)

Job continues to ask God "why?" Job's friends continue to tell him, "It's your fault because you sinned." Job knows he was a righteous guy and what God had done to him didn't make sense. Job continues to search for an explanation from God. Thus we enter chapter 12 and Job's response. "I'm sure you speak for the experts, and when you die there will be no one left to tell us how to live" (2, the Message)

Job opens up chapter 12 with a sarcastic rebuke of his friends and their "wisdom". He lauds his friends, (sarcastically), as the wisest men on earth. You can tell Job's had enough of the council and advice of his friends. In fact the whole chapter is going to involve a discussion on their so called "wisdom". In verse four Job laments how his friends consider him a joke, even though he knows he is blameless. His friends, who are free from trouble, think that Job's trouble is because he is a sinner. However, Job shows how evil men, robbers and blasphemers, are secure in their homes, while the righteous suffer. "He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt, as prepared for those whose feet slip. The tents of the destroyers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure," (5-6, NASB).

Next in 7-25 Job makes it clear that God's sovereign control over the universe is obvious to every creature on earth. It is obvious to all that God is in control of the suffering Job is enduring.

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you...Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this. (7, 9)
To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released. (13-14)
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste." (23-24)

Job is clear on God's sovereign control. He doesn't have any disagreement with his friends on this fact, (13:1-2). What he can't understand is why God has done this in his life. He still comes back to this question of "Why?" You, dear reader, may have found yourself in this same sort of situation. You are suffering through illness, injustice, pain, weariness, stagnation, or loss. Friends have surrounded you and offered their "helpful advice" but in the end their words are like salt on an open wound. They say, "It'll get better." "It will all work out in the end." "God's in control." "One day you'll look back on this and smile/laugh." No matter what they say, however well meaning, it doesn't answer the deepest question of your heart. "WHY GOD? WHERE ARE YOU GOD? WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN GOD? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HOW COULD YOU ALLOW THIS?"

Job's friends

That is exactly where Job finds himself. He's gasping for answers and understanding from the Almighty, yet his friends only offer stupid or cruel words. Job's had just about enough of them and rebukes them for their foolishness. He wants to speak to God directly, not these men who offer no help. "But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; You are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom." (3-5). Ouch. Job's friends really do sound like the Stooges.

His friends have attempted to represent and defend the honor of the Almighty. But Job says they have not spoken rightly about God. "Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? Will you show him partiality? Will you argue your case for God? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay," (Job 13:7-8, 12). Inevitably in the face of suffering, sorrow, or injustice, men will try to understand or rationale the workings of the Almighty. The problem is men can make the mistake of trying to make sense of things that just don't make sense, (to a human's limited understanding, anyway). If we're not careful we can begin making assertions about God, his character, and his plan and these assertions may be incorrect. Whether we're the one suffering or the one trying to comfort those in pain, we have to remember be careful about the counsel we give regarding the Almighty. "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" (Romans 11:33-34). Job says the Stooges have not represented God accurately. It seems he is right.

"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may," (13). Now having rebuked the three Stooges, Job says he will present his case directly to God, no matter what the consequences. Job stands like a lawyer in court. He is going to argue and make his defense directly to the Lord. His arguments throughout this book should be viewed like a prosecutor before a judge. Although he knows it is a dangerous thing to argue to the Lord, he is confident he will be vindicated in the end as a righteous man. "Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face," (15).

I WANT THE TRUTH! So does Job.

Just an aside. Job 13:15 is one of those verses that is often misquoted out of context by Bible-quoters everywhere. Most people quote or remember the first part of this verse, "Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him," while neglecting the second part. Job is not saying he is going to confidently trust God no matter what the consequences, which is how most people quote or remember this verse. What Job appears to be saying is connected to the second part of this verse, "I will surely defend my ways to his face," (15b). Job's confidence is not in the sovereign goodness of God per se, but rather that he would be vindicated at God examination of his life and character. Please make sure to use this verse accordingly. Thank you. I appreciate it.

"Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say. Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die," (17-19). Job finishes his statement/rebuke to his friends and their wisdom. He has now announced the course he will take, which is to approach God directly with his complaint. From this point on he will speak to God directly.

I think it's important to take a step back here from all the emotion, the yelling, the Three Stooges and remember what's going on here. I don't believe Job is approaching God as an arrogant man who is confident he is a man who has never sinned. He is coming before God as a man who knows there was nothing in his life to warrant the degree of suffering and sorrow he has experienced. He is a man who is seeking an answer to the question "Why God?", just as you and I have sought that answer in our times of pain, distress, and unanswered prayer. His friends have told him God has given him what he deserved because of his sin. Job knows that isn't true. He knows he was a righteous man who feared God and turned from evil, (see chapter one). Their answers have been awful, so Job has rightly rebuked them.

Nor is Job at this point finally cursing God. He is not speaking poorly of God or damning God for his actions. Such an action would fulfill his wife's desires in chapter two. He is simply seeking to understand why God has acted this way. Like I said, you and I have asked those questions too. Next time we will watch as Job makes his case directly to God. Stay tuned.