Job
Chapter 12
Job’s Response to Zophar
Then Job answered:
No doubt you are the people’s voice; when you die, wisdom dies with you!
But I have a mind as well as you, I know all that you have said.
To my friends I am a laughingstock when I call on God who does not answer; the just and blameless man is made fun of.
“Contempt for the unfortunate,” so think the prosperous, “a blow for those who are staggering.”
Yet the robbers’ tents remains undisturbed, those who provoke God are in peace, those who make a god of their strength.
But ask the beasts to teach you, the birds of the air to tell you,
the plants of the earth to instruct you, the fish of the sea to inform you.
Who among them does not realize that behind all this is God’s hand?
He controls the life of every creature and the breath of humans.
The ear can test words just as the tongue tastes food;
wisdom is found in the old, and understanding comes with age;
in God, however, are wisdom and power; his counsel and understanding belong to Him.
What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the one He imprisons cannot be released.
If He withholds water, there is drought; if he releases it, there is flood.
In him are strength and perception; deceived and deceiver are in his power.
He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges.
He loosens the belt of kings and ties a loincloth around their waist.
He leads priests away, barefoot, and overthrows those in power.
He forces advisers to be silent, and takes away elders’ wisdom.
He embarrasses princes; he unfastens the belt of the strong.
He uncovers the shadowy corners and brings hidden darkness into the light.
He causes a nation to rise and fall, a people to grow and dwindle.
He strips leaders of their judgment, leaving them to wander in a trackless wasteland.
Without light, they stumble in the darkness and sway like drunkards.
Commentaries
First Speech Session.
Appalled by Job’s laments and his repeated “whys,” the three friends break their wise silence and feel urged to reply. The speeches are divided into three sessions: 4:1-14:22, 15:1-21:34, and 22:1-27:23. In the first two, each friend speaks, and Job responds extensively. The third session seems somewhat disorganized, likely due to confusion in the text.
Job’s Response to Zophar.
Unfazed by Zophar’s accusation, Job begins his longest speech, aside from chapters 29-31. Chapter 12 is rich with wise ideas and terminology; chapter 13 focuses on legal expressions; chapter 14 contains laments. In a culture that values honor and shame, “what people say” is very significant. Thus, in 12:4-6, Job reflects on how his misfortunes have caused him shame and disgrace by making him the target of mockery and scorn among his neighbors and family. Eliphaz previously spoke (5:10-13) about the God who creates. Here (12:13-25), Job speaks of the God who causes chaos in the natural world (12:15; 19:21ff), echoing the story of the universal flood (Genesis 6-8). Once again, Job seeks to bring God into the courtroom (13:3). He has three witnesses, but their testimonies are false!
To demonstrate that his friend’s words have neither intimidated nor silenced him, Job affirms that he is willing to defend his cause before God himself and come out alive! To do so, God must promise not to overwhelm him with His divine power (“hand”). However, he quickly recognizes his foolish confidence and returns to lamenting. He cannot consider himself sinless (13:26), but whatever his fault may be, it does not warrant this. His lament exposes the darker side of existence, highlighting two aspects: human life is fragile and fleeting (14:1-6), and there is no hope of life after death (14:7-22). We die, and that’s the end of it. Only physical pain and inner turmoil accompany the suffering in their loneliness (14:18-22).