Job 11:1-20

Job, a servant of God

Job

Keith Simons

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Chapter 11

Zophar’s first speech

God is kind

v1 Zophar, who belonged to the people called Naamathites, replied. He said:

v2 I must answer Job’s many words. I cannot agree that his long speech was right.

v3 Job, no man should be silent when he hears your foolish words. Someone must stop you when you laugh (at our words). v4 You claim that you are innocent. You claim that you are right. v5 But if God spoke, he would accuse you. v6 He would tell you the secrets of wisdom that are hard to discover. You need to realise this:

• God does not punish you for all your evil behaviour.

Chapter 11

Zophar was unhappy when he heard Job’s words. Job’s explanation in Job 10:13-17 suggested that God may be cruel. So Zophar wanted to remind Job that, in fact, God is kind. Zophar was not sure that Job was a good man. So, Zophar encouraged Job to stop any evil behaviour. Then, Zophar said, God would help Job.