Zophar’s Wrongful Accusations Against Job

In Job, chapter 11, we read about Zophar, another one of Job’s friends, who came at him with some strong accusations. And for you to understand everything he said in context, we will read it together, starting with verse 1. 1“Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that 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. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.” (Job 11:1-12) So not only did Zophar say that job was being punished because of his sins, but also called him a man full of talk, a liar, a mocker, a wicked and vain man. Wow, all this when Job only desired comfort from his friends. What we see are friends who are quick to judge and slow to speak peace and show kindness.

Zophar did not stop there, but also said, 1“If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.” (Job 11:13-20) All he could see in Job was a wicked man that needed repentance, as he could not see anything else. Only by turning to God would God’s wrath be stopped. So he continued to accuse him of things, which did not help Job. Sure, if we are in sin, we should repent and come clean before God. However, we should never accuse a person of being in sin when this is not given knowledge to us from the person or God. In Zophar’s mind, people who repent will not be tried like Job was, but find hope and rest in God’s presence. However, what he didn’t realize is that the just go through trials and tribulations just like the unjust do. We should never think we know God’s will for a person’s life, for God may have entirely different things in store for that person.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for this life. Thank You for the health that I do have. Thank You for helping me through these rough times, though I don’t always deserve it. Thank You for coming to my rescue when temptation is strong and my flesh cannot resist. Thank You for leading me far from the enemy’s hand, that I might live for You in purity and righteousness. Thank You for the Bible and how it has led me to live an entirely new life for You. I once thought I knew the right things to do, but now my eyes have been opened to what Your Word says. This way I can live this life and know that my ways are according to Your Words and not my own. Lord, all I desire is to honor and please You. I don’t live this life for myself, but to lift You up in praise. If people can see You in me, that is what I desire. Then, will they give You glory also. Lord, help me to never prejudge somebody when really they were innocent the entire time. I would feel terrible if people became hurt and depressed because of what I said to them. Therefore, may Your love envelope my life, that people in trials will obtain Your peace poured out from me. Cast out all their fears and renew them In the Holy Spirit. Lord, I know that if You are leading us, even the trials we are facing now will all make sense. We will have a reason to carry on, and not want to end our lives prematurely. Truly, to endure in the faith and die faithfully for You is what You have called each of us all to do. Who will do this? That is the question that I present to people, and pray that more people will also ask this about themselves. All I desire is to see more people be saved and go to heaven someday, not be damned and go to hell. Where You are, that is where I long to be. I love You, Jesus. I give You glory and praise. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

Job 11
1Job 11 (KJV)
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
6 And that 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.
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
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