Job 11-12

Job 11-12

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 11: By searching we can find God

                Zophar criticizes Job for his complaining. Infact, Zophar tells Job that he actually deserves far worse from God.

                “…he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” (Job 11:6)

                We can learn two very important things here… our knowledge is far less than God’s. Why? Well everyday we are discovering new technology, right? Therefore we still do not know everything, to say that we know all is absolutely ridiculous! God knows all and we should trust him. Secondly; God is full of mercy and when we do something wrong, the punishment is probably far less than what we actually deserve.

Zophar then goes on to teach Job about theology.

“Canst thou by searching find out God?” (Job 11:7)

                Zophar, essentially criticizes Job, by telling him that God is transparent and should not be questioning Him. Zophar believed that the best thing Job could do was to accept his punishment from God instead of protesting the injustice of it. In Zophar’s mind, Job’s punishment was just and God was actually giving Job less than he deserved.

                Zophar then calls upon Job to repent. If Job repents then he will be able to lift up his face to God without spot…

                “…thou shalt be stedfast, and shall not fear… thou shalt shine forth… thou shalt be secure, because there is hope… thou shalttake thy rest in safety… none shall make thee afraid…” (Job 11:15-19)

                If we do something to wrong God (not saying that Job did anything wrong), but if WE do SIN, we must REPENT. If we do repent then we are promised to have a feeling of hope, that we will be safe and we won’t fear man, but only God.

Chapter 12: The soul’s of all things are in God’s hands.

Job sarcastically answers Zophar and his other friends.

                “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have an understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? I am as one mocked of his neighbor…” (Job 12:2-4) 

Job was very frustrated with his friend and made two very important points;  First, that he also was a man of understanding. Second, that the principles presented by Zophar and the others were already widely known.

                Job goes on to say that all creaton knows the power of God (7-12). He returns the favor to his friends by telling them that their wisdom is so simple that even the earth, the animals and all life know the same.

Job goes on to describe the great power of God. Here, Job rebuked the previous speech of Zophar (Job 11), especially where Zophar criticized Job for not knowing God and likened him to an empty-headed man (Job 11:7-12). Here Job showed that he did indeed know that God was great in wisdom and strength, and that He was mighty in counsel and understanding.