11:1ffZophar is the third of Job's friends to speak, and the least courteous. Full of anger, he lashed out at Job, saying that Job deserved more punishment, not less. Zophar took the same position as Eliphaz (chapters 4-5) and Bildad (chapter 8)—that Job was suffering because of sin—but his speech was by far the most arrogant. Zophar was the kind of person who has an answer for everything; he was totally insensitive to Job’s unique situation. (For more on Zophar, see the chart in chapter 28, p. 819.)
Life Application Study BibleJobChapter 11
Job 11
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 800, 801
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
11Job 11
Zophar's First Response to Job
111 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?Isa person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
3Should I remain silent while you babble on?When you mock God, shouldn't someone make you ashamed?
4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’and ‘Tam clean in the sight of God.’
5If only God would speak;if only he would tell you what he thinks!
6If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,for true wisdom is not a simple matter.Listen! God is doubtless punishing youfar less than you deserve!
7“Can you solve the mysteries of God?Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworld*—what do you know?
9It is broader than the earthand wider than the sea.
10If God comes and puts a person in prisonor calls the court to order, who can stop him?
11For he knows those who are false,and he takes note of all their sins.
12An empty-headed person won't become wiseany more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.*
13“If only you would prepare your heartand lift up your hands to him in prayer!
14Get rid of your sins,and leave all iniquity behind you.
15Then your face will brighten with innocence.You will be strong and free of fear.
16You will forget your misery;it will be like water flowing away.
17Your life will be brighter than the noonday.Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18Having hope will give you courage.You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19You will lie down unafraid,and many will look to you for help.
20But the wicked will be blinded.They will have no escape.Their only hope is death.”Job’s Fourth Speech: A Response to Zophar
Textual footnotes
- 11:8 Hebrew than Sheol.
- 11:42 Or than a wild male donkey can bear a tame
Life Application Notes 2 notes
11:11By calling Job “false,” Zophar was accusing Job of hiding secret faults and sins. Although Zophar'’s assumption was wrong, he explained quite accurately that God knows and sees everything. We are often tempted by the thought “No one will ever know!” Perhaps we can hide some sin from others, but we can do nothing without God knowing about it. Because our very thoughts are known to God, of course he will notice our sins. Job understood this as well as Zophar did, but it didn’t apply to his current dilemma.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 801
colt.