And Job answered and said,
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Job 12 marks a significant turning point in the dialogue between Job and his friends. Responding to Zophar's accusations, Job launches into a powerful defense, laced with sarcasm and a profound understanding of God's sovereignty. Chapters 12-14 showcase Job's struggle to reconcile his suffering with his unwavering belief in God's justice and wisdom. He vehemently rejects his friends' simplistic explanations, asserting his own insight into God's mysterious ways.
Sarcasm and a Challenge to Conventional Wisdom (Job 12:1-12)
Job begins with biting sarcasm, challenging the perceived superiority of his friends. "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!" (Job 12:2). He implies that his friends believe they possess a monopoly on truth, a notion he finds absurd. He suggests that even the animals could teach them valuable lessons about God's ways (Job 12:7). This isn't mere mockery; Job is pointing out the limitations of human understanding when it comes to comprehending God's grand design. He wants them to recognize that God's actions are not always transparent or easily explainable. Job emphasizes that God "moves in a mysterious way," a truth echoed in many hymns and spiritual reflections.
God's Unfathomable Power and Wisdom (Job 12:13-25)
Instead of cursing God, as Satan hoped, Job boldly proclaims God's wisdom and strength. He acknowledges that God's actions are irreversible and beyond human comprehension. "With God are wisdom and strength; he has counsel and understanding" (Job 12:13). Job emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, stating that no one can undo what God has done. True wisdom and power belong solely to Him (Job 12:16).
Job then proceeds to illustrate God's power through a series of vivid images. Counselors, kings, priests, leaders, advisers, and nobles—none can compare to Him (Job 12:17-21). He highlights God's ability to elevate and then destroy nations (Job 12:23), demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs. Despite his immense pain and frustration, Job's theology remains firm: he knows his God is glorious and almighty, even when His ways are perplexing.
"I Am Not Inferior to You" (Job 13:1-5)
Job asserts his intellectual and spiritual equality with his friends. "My eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it" (Job 13:1). He claims that he is not inferior to them in knowledge or understanding of God (Job 13:2). He accuses them of using lies to cover up the truth, like plaster on a wall, and dismisses them as "worthless healers" who offer no real comfort (Job 13:4). Their "memorable sayings" are as useless as ashes (Job 13:12). Job suggests that his friends were better off when they simply wept with him in silence (Job 2:12-13). He wisely advises them, "Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!" (Job 13:5). As Proverbs 17:28 later states, "Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent."
"Though He Slay Me, I Will Hope in Him" (Job 13:15)
Job makes a powerful declaration of faith: "Though he slay me, I will hope in him" (Job 13:15). This verse encapsulates Job's unwavering trust in God, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Job, alongside Jesus, stands as a classic example of enduring Satan's attacks while remaining faithful to God. Despite losing everything, Job refuses to curse God or abandon his faith. This resolute faith, a faith that perseveres, is a model for us all.
Job's Plea for Understanding (Job 13:18-28)
Job is confident in his innocence and desires to present his case before God. "I have prepared my case; I know that I am in the right" (Job 13:18). He is willing to face the consequences, even death, for the chance to be acquitted. He asks God to end his pain and stop frightening him (Job 13:20-21). He invites God to call him to account, pleading, "Show me my sins... What have I done?" (Job 13:23). However, God remains silent, leaving Job feeling abandoned and tormented.
Acknowledging the Hard Questions (Job 14:1-22)
The book of Job, along with Ecclesiastes, acknowledges the tough "why" questions that arise in the face of suffering and injustice. Job's struggle reminds us that we are not alone in grappling with these difficult issues. Even one of God's most faithful servants, described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:8), questioned God's ways and endured profound grief. Job laments the brevity of life and its inherent troubles, "Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). Yet, God is not indifferent to our suffering; He Himself has entered into it (see 1 Peter 2:24).
Job longs for relief from his pain, asking for a respite instead of judgment. He reflects on the finality of death, contrasting it with the resilience of a tree: "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again... But man dies and is laid low" (Job 14:7-12). He feels that God is relentlessly destroying his hope, much like water slowly wears away stone (Job 14:19).
Job's story offers both a challenge and a comfort. It challenges us to maintain our faith even when we don't understand God's ways. It comforts us by reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is present with us in our pain. Job 12, and the chapters that follow, invite us to wrestle with the complexities of faith and to seek a deeper understanding of God's character and purposes.
And Job answered and said,
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Job 12 marks a significant turning point in the dialogue between Job and his friends. Responding to Zophar's accusations, Job launches into a powerful defense, laced with sarcasm and a profound understanding of God's sovereignty. Chapters 12-14 showcase Job's struggle to reconcile his suffering with his unwavering belief in God's justice and wisdom. He vehemently rejects his friends' simplistic explanations, asserting his own insight into God's mysterious ways.
Sarcasm and a Challenge to Conventional Wisdom (Job 12:1-12)
Job begins with biting sarcasm, challenging the perceived superiority of his friends. "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!" (Job 12:2). He implies that his friends believe they possess a monopoly on truth, a notion he finds absurd. He suggests that even the animals could teach them valuable lessons about God's ways (Job 12:7). This isn't mere mockery; Job is pointing out the limitations of human understanding when it comes to comprehending God's grand design. He wants them to recognize that God's actions are not always transparent or easily explainable. Job emphasizes that God "moves in a mysterious way," a truth echoed in many hymns and spiritual reflections.
God's Unfathomable Power and Wisdom (Job 12:13-25)
Instead of cursing God, as Satan hoped, Job boldly proclaims God's wisdom and strength. He acknowledges that God's actions are irreversible and beyond human comprehension. "With God are wisdom and strength; he has counsel and understanding" (Job 12:13). Job emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, stating that no one can undo what God has done. True wisdom and power belong solely to Him (Job 12:16).
Job then proceeds to illustrate God's power through a series of vivid images. Counselors, kings, priests, leaders, advisers, and nobles—none can compare to Him (Job 12:17-21). He highlights God's ability to elevate and then destroy nations (Job 12:23), demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs. Despite his immense pain and frustration, Job's theology remains firm: he knows his God is glorious and almighty, even when His ways are perplexing.
"I Am Not Inferior to You" (Job 13:1-5)
Job asserts his intellectual and spiritual equality with his friends. "My eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it" (Job 13:1). He claims that he is not inferior to them in knowledge or understanding of God (Job 13:2). He accuses them of using lies to cover up the truth, like plaster on a wall, and dismisses them as "worthless healers" who offer no real comfort (Job 13:4). Their "memorable sayings" are as useless as ashes (Job 13:12). Job suggests that his friends were better off when they simply wept with him in silence (Job 2:12-13). He wisely advises them, "Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!" (Job 13:5). As Proverbs 17:28 later states, "Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent."
"Though He Slay Me, I Will Hope in Him" (Job 13:15)
Job makes a powerful declaration of faith: "Though he slay me, I will hope in him" (Job 13:15). This verse encapsulates Job's unwavering trust in God, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Job, alongside Jesus, stands as a classic example of enduring Satan's attacks while remaining faithful to God. Despite losing everything, Job refuses to curse God or abandon his faith. This resolute faith, a faith that perseveres, is a model for us all.
Job's Plea for Understanding (Job 13:18-28)
Job is confident in his innocence and desires to present his case before God. "I have prepared my case; I know that I am in the right" (Job 13:18). He is willing to face the consequences, even death, for the chance to be acquitted. He asks God to end his pain and stop frightening him (Job 13:20-21). He invites God to call him to account, pleading, "Show me my sins... What have I done?" (Job 13:23). However, God remains silent, leaving Job feeling abandoned and tormented.
Acknowledging the Hard Questions (Job 14:1-22)
The book of Job, along with Ecclesiastes, acknowledges the tough "why" questions that arise in the face of suffering and injustice. Job's struggle reminds us that we are not alone in grappling with these difficult issues. Even one of God's most faithful servants, described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:8), questioned God's ways and endured profound grief. Job laments the brevity of life and its inherent troubles, "Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). Yet, God is not indifferent to our suffering; He Himself has entered into it (see 1 Peter 2:24).
Job longs for relief from his pain, asking for a respite instead of judgment. He reflects on the finality of death, contrasting it with the resilience of a tree: "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again... But man dies and is laid low" (Job 14:7-12). He feels that God is relentlessly destroying his hope, much like water slowly wears away stone (Job 14:19).
Job's story offers both a challenge and a comfort. It challenges us to maintain our faith even when we don't understand God's ways. It comforts us by reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is present with us in our pain. Job 12, and the chapters that follow, invite us to wrestle with the complexities of faith and to seek a deeper understanding of God's character and purposes.