Job 20 - 21

Zophar Speaks Again, And Job Answers

This is Zophar's final speech to Job and it is no more comforting or consoling than his first speech.  Zophar is a pompous no-it-all that has the answers.  He is self-reliant, led by his own spirit instead of the Holy Spirit (20:3).  In Zophar's mind, Job is a sinner and a hypocrite who is getting what he deserves.  In his estimation, if Job soon does not repent he shall go the way of all evil people.

Empiric evidence to the contrary, in Zophar's mind, God always and quickly pronounces and visits judgement upon all wicked people.  His descriptions are animated and vivid employing vipers, and dung, and anger rained down upon them.  This is the fate that Zophar sees for Job.

Job responds in chapter 21.  He asks Zophar to listen (v. 1) as this is the only consolation Zophar can offer Job. If he will listen, the Job will permit him to continue his mocking (v. 3). For the seventh time, Job attempts to explain that his concern, his case, is with God and not with people, including his friends.  Job has wronged no one. He has maintained his integrity, yet God is punishing him and he cannot understand why.

In direct response to Zophar, Job contradicts his contention that the wicked suffer.  Job states the opposite, "Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful?"  Job was a man of great wealth and stature.  He dealt with good men and wicked men, yet he did not perceive a correlation between goodness/wickedness and prosperity/indigence.  Many wicked people enjoy life. They see their children and grandchildren grow up and prosper.  Many of them want for nothing and live safe secure lives from cradle to grave.  Some openly mock God to their grave and still never suffer the judgments of God in this life.  This completely refutes Zophar's contentions.

"One person dies in prosperity, completely comfortable adn secure, the picture of good health, vigorous and fit. Another person dies in bitter poverty, never having tasted the good life.  Both are buried in the same dust, both eaten by the same maggots." (21:23-26). This is the experience of Job.  While all human flesh ends in the dust, the life they live and enjoy or suffer is not necessarily related to how good or evil they are.

Job asks Zophar, and his friends, a question, "How can your empty cliches comfort me?" (v. 34).  To this point, they have only added to Job's suffering.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.