Job Answers Zophar

Chapters 12: In the hands of the Ancient

12:2 Job begins by mocking superior attitude of the three men. They had spoken as if they and only they could dispense the wisdom of God.

12:3 with 13:2 Job let Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar know that the many true statements they had made were already known by him and they had said nothing that was not common knowledge

·       Job 13:1-2; Ecc 1:9-10

12:4 Job knew these men were mocking him and laughing at his claim that his doctrine was pure, and he was clean in the eyes of God. (6:30; 9:17; 10:7)

·       Today take a stand for the true doctrines declared in the King James Bible as the inspired, inerrant, preserved word of God and the world will mock and laugh at you.

·       there is no new thing under the sun

12:5 Job seemed to believe that these men had been watching for Job to slip up. They are at ease so they now they now despise Job even more. (Despise is not to consider worthy of honor.)

12:6 Job speaks of how it often seems God favors the wicked because they seem to prosper and are secure in their life.

Jer 12:1; Mal 3:14-15; Ps 37:7; Mat 5:45

12:7-8 V7 begins with “BUT” even though it may seem those of V6 are favored by God the witness of God’s creation will witness against them.

·       Lu 19:40 with Rom 1:20

·       V9 the hand of the LORD hath wrought this; The wicked prospering and the witness of nature against them is the providence of God. (Remember 9:12)

Ø    Ps 92:7; Heb 10:31

·       V10 While it may seem that those who provoke God are clear of His judgment, the truth is they are in His hands just as every creature on this earth.

12:11 with Job 6:30. I believe Job restates the fact that he knows the words he heard from the three men were perverse words. The quality of what we eat is proven by the taste. 

12:12 Job seems to refer back to Bildad’s statement in 8:8-9.

·       The ancient in seen in 15 verses of the Bible. Most often used for old men or times long past.

Vs 13-24 The ancient is identified in these verses

It is only the LORD God Almighty that has the power and authority to do that of which these verses speak The ancient is the “he and him” in V13-24

·       Dan 7:9,13,22 speaks of this Ancient

V12:25 They grope (those spoken of in V6, 24) in the dark.

·       Dark is in 5 verses of Job. Darkness in 24 verses.

·       Light is often used to speak of the knowledge of God. Darkness is often just the opposite.

·       Even when the sun shines bright those who know not God are groping in the darkness of God’s judgment.

·       Job 24:13,16-17

Put these verses in proper context with Job’s reply.

·       Remember what Job stated in 9:12 “who has the right to question what God does?  When God allows the wicked to prosper through deception or crafty devices (V16) it is not our place to ask Him, Why?.  

·       They are still in His hand and they will be judged, we just may not see it.

·       Ps 92:7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

·       Ps 115:3; Jere 27:5

Consider how all this applies to Job answering Zophar.

·       Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were visiting Job as healthy men, who had their substance, their families were safe. They seem to be living the health, wealth, happiness doctrine of God’s blessing.

·       BUT Job knew the words they spoke him were lies. They were mocking him, accusing him of being a wicked, crafty sinner whom God had judged.

·       Could Job be was telling them, “Look you seem to be prospering against me, But, you are twisting your abundant knowledge of God to take occasion to mock me, to laugh at me, and despise me. You are actually disagreeing with God by using His truth deceitfully and someday, somehow He will bring you down. (V12:25)