Devotional Readings

Job 11 – How does this message fail?

I’ve often observed that much of the substance of Job’s friends comments does have a ring of truth.

The problem is in the application or mis-application, his name means Chirping which seems to capture it perfectly…mixing words of truth with bad applications. Not the least of which is v13:
Job 11:13  If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him…

And the follow on’s, there is an assumption that all Job has to do is make himself righteous. but we know from other scripture it is impossible for us to do that. As scripture correctly says:

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

We will see more of this in the next chapters until we work to the great climax in the dialogue between Job and God at the end of the book.

Zophar (Easton)

Chirping, one of Job’s friends who came to condole with him in his distress (Job 2:11. The LXX. render here “king of the Mineans” = Ma’in, Maonites, Jdg 10:12, in Southern Arabia). He is called a Naamathite, or an inhabitant of some unknown place called Naamah. 

Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse

Job 11:1  Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Job 11:2  Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

Job 11:3  Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

Job 11:4  For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

Job 11:5  But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

Job 11:6  And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

Job 11:7  Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Job 11:8  It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

Job 11:9  The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Job 11:10  If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

Job 11:11  For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

Job 11:12  For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

Job 11:13  If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

Job 11:14  If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

Job 11:15  For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

Job 11:16  Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

Job 11:17  And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

Job 11:18  And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

Job 11:19  Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

Job 11:20  But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

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