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Summary

Job 11:1–6 – Zophar rebukes Job’s words

What happens: Zophar answers and calls Job’s speech a flood of empty talk. He wishes God would speak and show Job the secrets of wisdom, which are double. He says God is even now exacting less from Job than his guilt deserves.

What it means: Zophar defends God’s justice but misjudges Job. Truth without knowledge of the heart becomes cruelty. God is just, yet his ways are deeper than simple payback.

Job 11:7–12 – God’s wisdom beyond man

What happens: Zophar asks if Job can search out God’s limits. God’s wisdom is higher than heaven and deeper than Sheol. He says a hollow man gains understanding only when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

What it means: God’s knowledge and rule are infinite. Human wisdom is limited and easily proud. Mockery of the sufferer does not honor God’s greatness.

Job 11:13–20 – Call to repent and promise of hope

What happens: Zophar urges Job to set his heart right, stretch out his hands, and put away iniquity. He promises brightness, security, and rest if Job repents. He warns that the wicked’s eyes fail and their hope is a dying gasp.

What it means: Turning to God is always right, but presuming guilt is wrong. Promises of peace are true in God, yet timing belongs to him. Counsel must join truth with humility and compassion.

Application

  • Before correcting a sufferer, ask God for insight and restraint.
  • Praise God’s unsearchable wisdom and confess your limits.
  • Call people to seek God, but refuse to assume hidden sin.
  • Speak promises as comfort, not as leverage.

Bible

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

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

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

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

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

6And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20But 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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