Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Zophar’s 1st Speech: More Coals Heaped Upon Job

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2 “Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and a man full of talk be judged right?
3 Should your babble silence men,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in God’s[a] eyes.’
5 But oh, that God would speak
and open his lips to you,
6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For he is manifold in understanding.[b]
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
7 “Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
8 It is higher than heaven[c]—what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
9 Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
10 If he passes through and imprisons
and summons the court, who can turn him back?
11 For he knows worthless men;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
12 But a stupid man will get understanding
when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!
13 “If you prepare your heart,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.
16 You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.
18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.
19 You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
many will court your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
all way of escape will be lost to them,
and their hope is to breathe their last.”  Job 11

A. Zophar: The Insensitive and Arrogant Counselor: Job 11:1-6

1. His insensitive verbal treatment of Job: Job 11:1-3, Prov. 12:18

2. His arrogant accusation against Job: Job 11:4, Job 33:9, Matt. 5:37

3. His arrogant self-confidence toward Job: Job 11:5-6, Rom. 12:3

B. Zophar: Truths of God Revealed: Job 11:7-11

1. The God who is incomprehensible: Job 11:7-9, Rom. 11:33-36

2. The God who is all-knowing (omniscient): Job 11:11a, Heb. 4:13

3. The God who is all-present (omnipresent): Job 11:11b

C. Zophar: The Irrelevant and Presuming Counselor: Job 11:13-20

1. His counsel to job does not apply: Job 11:13-14

– Pray for a heart and tongue of wisdom (what to speak): James 3:17

– Pray for a heart and tongue of discernment (when to speak): Eph. 4:29

2. His counsel to Job is presumptuous: Job 11:15-19