Job 11 Commentary

Job 11 Commentary

Should this kind of loose talk be permitted? Zophar feels Job has gone too far. It is now his turn to put sense in Job.

But wait a minute. Has Job actually said that his beliefs are flawless and that he is pure in God’s sight? Or are these thoughts simply a fabrication of Zophar out of Job’s speeches? The latter is more probable.

Verse 6 is difficult to understand. Has Zophar suggested that Job’s punishment is actually less than what his ‘many’ sins deserve?

Zophar’s suggestion that Job devote his heart to the LORD and put away the sin from his hand is a good sermon. But as we all know, it is not for mortals to stay away from evil and to stay free of fault. Zophar is asking Job to do the impossible!

We are, however, happy that the LORD has made the impossible possible through the man Jesus Christ. He is the only one who managed to do what Zophar is talking about here.

Zophar’s theology is only as good as it projects the righteousness that only the Son could achieve. The theology is, however, faulty as a complete thought. Zophar’s world concerns itself with righteousness and its perceived rewards.

In Zophar’s world, the sinless Son we have talked about would be the most blessed of men. But Zophar’s theology contradicts the picture of the sinless but suffering servant (Servant) of Isaiah 52/53.

Regardless, wasn’t the Son the most blessed of men? Isn’t the born-again man the most blessed of men? Isn’t Zophar’s theology just about right when one considers the blessedness of the saint regardless of the perceptions of the world? Isn’t Job still the loved, blue-eyed boy of the Creator God, though Job’s world didn’t know it?

Job is yet to say it. But let the saint hear it:

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” Can the saint be more blessed than this?

Zophar’s theology isn’t unique. His friends have said the same thing, but Zophar is ruthless.

He may represent individuals who eavesdrop on private conversations. Job didn’t address them; he addressed God. His prayer was loud. We all heard it. But did Job mock God? Was there any trace of mockery in his prayer?

Zophar saw, heard, and judged Job. When you have a faulty scale, all your measurements will be wrong! That is Zophar’s problem. But to read figures incorrectly (even from a faulty scale) is mindboggling!  

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