American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Job 11
2
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
Reference
3
Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 17:2
5
But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;
6
And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
Reference
Parallel theme
Lamentations 3:22
Ephesians 3:5
Job 9:4
Matthew 13:35
References God
Ezra 9:13
Job 15:11
Job 15:8
Deuteronomy 29:29
Daniel 2:28
Sin
Job 15:5
7
Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty to perfection?
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 145:3
Psalm 77:19
Job 37:23
Job 5:9
Ephesians 3:8
References God
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Romans 11:33
Isaiah 40:28
9
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
11
For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
Reference
Evil
Habakkuk 1:13
Hosea 7:2
Parallel theme
Hebrews 4:13
Psalm 10:14
Revelation 2:23
Psalm 94:11
Psalm 10:11
Ecclesiastes 5:8
14
If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.
Reference
Sin
Job 22:23
15
For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
Reference
17
And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.
Reference
18
And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yes, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.
Reference
19
Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall make suit to you.
Reference
Summary of Job 11
Job Chapter 11 introduces Zophar the Naamathite, the third of Job's friends to speak. His response is the most direct and severe so far. While Eliphaz and Bildad have already suggested that Job's suffering must have a moral explanation, Zophar openly accuses Job of speaking too much and believing himself more righteous than he really is.
Zophar begins by questioning whether Job's many words make him right. He believes Job has talked long enough and that his claims of innocence need to be challenged. Zophar wishes that God Himself would speak because, in his view, God's wisdom would expose Job's misunderstanding.
He emphasizes that God's wisdom is far beyond human understanding. God's knowledge reaches higher than the heavens, deeper than the earth, and farther than the sea. No human being can fully understand God's purposes.
This part of Zophar's argument contains an important truth: human beings cannot comprehend everything God knows. However, Zophar uses this truth to support a much more questionable conclusion—namely, that Job must be guilty because God has allowed him to suffer.
Zophar even suggests that Job is receiving less punishment than he deserves.
This is a particularly harsh accusation because the reader already knows that Job's suffering is not punishment for hidden wickedness.
Zophar then tells Job what he believes he must do. He should prepare his heart, stretch out his hands to God, remove wrongdoing from his household, and seek God sincerely. Zophar's advice assumes that Job has committed serious wrongdoing that he has not confessed.
Again, the reader knows that this assumption is incorrect.
Zophar promises that if Job repents, his situation will completely change. He will be able to lift his face without shame, forget his misery, live in the light rather than darkness, and experience hope and security again.
The imagery is strongly positive. Darkness will become like morning. Fear will disappear. Job will sleep safely. People will once again seek his favor.
But Zophar's promise is conditional:
Restoration will come only if Job admits his guilt and changes his ways.
This is the same basic theology that has appeared in the speeches of Job's other friends. They believe there is a predictable relationship between moral behavior and earthly circumstances.
The righteous should ultimately prosper.
The wicked should ultimately suffer.
Therefore, if Job is suffering, he must belong on the wrong side of that equation.
The problem is that Job's actual experience does not support their conclusion.
Zophar's speech also demonstrates how easily a correct theological principle can become a wrong judgment about an individual person. Zophar is right that God knows everything. He is right that God's wisdom is beyond human understanding. He is right that people should seek God and turn away from wrongdoing.
But he has no evidence that Job's suffering is caused by hidden sin.
Instead of listening to Job's experience, Zophar forces Job's situation into his existing belief system.
The chapter therefore increases the tension between Job and his friends. Job is looking for an explanation for suffering that does not require him to confess sins he did not commit. His friends are increasingly convinced that his insistence on innocence is itself evidence of pride.
Zophar's final warning makes the situation even more serious. He says that the wicked will lose their hope and escape, implying that Job's future depends on whether he responds correctly to his accusation.
The historical imagery reflects an ancient Near Eastern setting: prayer with raised hands, household tents, wild donkeys, agricultural life, light and darkness, and the importance of social security and reputation.
The central message of Job Chapter 11 is the danger of assuming that suffering automatically proves guilt. Zophar believes he is defending God's wisdom and justice, but his certainty prevents him from seeing Job's actual situation clearly.
Job is suffering and asking honest questions.
Zophar responds by telling him that his questions are evidence that he needs to repent.
The reader, however, knows something Zophar does not: Job's suffering is not proof of hidden wickedness.
Zophar begins by questioning whether Job's many words make him right. He believes Job has talked long enough and that his claims of innocence need to be challenged. Zophar wishes that God Himself would speak because, in his view, God's wisdom would expose Job's misunderstanding.
He emphasizes that God's wisdom is far beyond human understanding. God's knowledge reaches higher than the heavens, deeper than the earth, and farther than the sea. No human being can fully understand God's purposes.
This part of Zophar's argument contains an important truth: human beings cannot comprehend everything God knows. However, Zophar uses this truth to support a much more questionable conclusion—namely, that Job must be guilty because God has allowed him to suffer.
Zophar even suggests that Job is receiving less punishment than he deserves.
This is a particularly harsh accusation because the reader already knows that Job's suffering is not punishment for hidden wickedness.
Zophar then tells Job what he believes he must do. He should prepare his heart, stretch out his hands to God, remove wrongdoing from his household, and seek God sincerely. Zophar's advice assumes that Job has committed serious wrongdoing that he has not confessed.
Again, the reader knows that this assumption is incorrect.
Zophar promises that if Job repents, his situation will completely change. He will be able to lift his face without shame, forget his misery, live in the light rather than darkness, and experience hope and security again.
The imagery is strongly positive. Darkness will become like morning. Fear will disappear. Job will sleep safely. People will once again seek his favor.
But Zophar's promise is conditional:
Restoration will come only if Job admits his guilt and changes his ways.
This is the same basic theology that has appeared in the speeches of Job's other friends. They believe there is a predictable relationship between moral behavior and earthly circumstances.
The righteous should ultimately prosper.
The wicked should ultimately suffer.
Therefore, if Job is suffering, he must belong on the wrong side of that equation.
The problem is that Job's actual experience does not support their conclusion.
Zophar's speech also demonstrates how easily a correct theological principle can become a wrong judgment about an individual person. Zophar is right that God knows everything. He is right that God's wisdom is beyond human understanding. He is right that people should seek God and turn away from wrongdoing.
But he has no evidence that Job's suffering is caused by hidden sin.
Instead of listening to Job's experience, Zophar forces Job's situation into his existing belief system.
The chapter therefore increases the tension between Job and his friends. Job is looking for an explanation for suffering that does not require him to confess sins he did not commit. His friends are increasingly convinced that his insistence on innocence is itself evidence of pride.
Zophar's final warning makes the situation even more serious. He says that the wicked will lose their hope and escape, implying that Job's future depends on whether he responds correctly to his accusation.
The historical imagery reflects an ancient Near Eastern setting: prayer with raised hands, household tents, wild donkeys, agricultural life, light and darkness, and the importance of social security and reputation.
The central message of Job Chapter 11 is the danger of assuming that suffering automatically proves guilt. Zophar believes he is defending God's wisdom and justice, but his certainty prevents him from seeing Job's actual situation clearly.
Job is suffering and asking honest questions.
Zophar responds by telling him that his questions are evidence that he needs to repent.
The reader, however, knows something Zophar does not: Job's suffering is not proof of hidden wickedness.