Job
Chapter 11
Zophar’s First Speech
Zophar the Naamithite spoke:
Must these words go unanswered? Must you be right for talking so much?
Will your chatter keep us quiet? Will no one respond to your mocking?
You tell God that your way is right, and that you are pure in his sight.
How I wish that God would speak and open his lips against you,
to show you the secrets of wisdom that put intelligence to shame. Then you would know that God is recalling your sins.
Can you understand the mysteries of God, and explore the full extent of his perfection?
It is higher than heaven— what can you do? Deeper than the realm of death— what can you know?
Its measure is larger than the earth, broader than the sea.
Who can stop him when he passes, when he imprisons and calls to judgment?
He recognizes evil; he detects deception. Will he not then notice it?
Stupid people learn to be wise as wild donkeys become tame.
If you set your heart right and stretch out your hands to him,
if you wash your hands of sin and keep evil out of your tent,
then you will lift your face in honor; without fear, you will feel secure.
You will forget your suffering and remember it only as waters that have passed.
Your life will be brighter than noonday and its darkness like the morning.
You will find comfort, for there is hope; you will be protected while you sleep.
You will lie down without fear; many will seek your favor.
But the wicked will fail; they will lose all escape, their only hope—that death will come.
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.
Zophar’s First Speech.
The way Zophar begins his speech makes Bildad’s seem mild and polite by comparison (8:2). How is it possible that the person who speaks the most is considered innocent? (2). Contrary to 11:4, Job has not tried to teach anyone anything; he just wanted to voice his confusion and grief before his friends’ deaf ears. By criticizing Job for being so confident without respecting the mystery of wisdom (7-17), Zophar reveals his own false confidence and ignorance of his own limits in wisdom. His advice can be summarized as: forget those extreme ideas, pray, and change your ways (13f). If Job does this, based on his friend’s idea of retribution, he will live a prosperous life and finally find peace. He will also regain his honor, and his virtues will be recognized; many will seek his intercession (19b). The irony is that, in the end (42:8f), it will be his friends who will be begging Job for help.