Job
Summary
Job Chapter 11 introduces Zophar the Naamathite, the third and most severe of Job's friends. Zophar rebukes Job for his "multitude of words" and his claim of being clean in God's eyes. He suggests that God is actually being lenient and that Job's punishment is less than his sin deserves. Zophar speaks of the unsearchable heights and depths of God's wisdom, which no man can fathom. He urges Job to "stretch out his hands" to God and put away his iniquity, promising that if he does, his life will be brighter than the noonday and he will rest in security and hope.
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
"Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?"
"Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?"
"You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'"
"Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you"
"and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin."
"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?"
"They are higher than the heavens, what can you do? They are deeper than the depths, what can you know?"
"Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea."
"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?"
"Surely he recognises deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?"
"But a witless man will become wise only when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man."
"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,"
"if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,"
"then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear."
"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by."
"Life will be brighter than the noonday, and darkness will become like morning."
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety."
"You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favour."
"But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their only hope is their dying breath."