Job 11

Job 11:1

6. Zophar’s First Speech (Chap. 11)11:1-12 Zophar the Naamathite insists that such empty, arrogant talk should not go unanswered. Regarding the meaning of Job’s third friend’s name, Ridout writes: Zophar, “a sparrow,” from the root verb “to twitter,” is the masculine form of Zipporah, Moses’ wife, and like her he was an unconscious opponent of God’s judgment on the flesh, though he was very zealous in condemning the fancied works of the flesh in Job. His vehement denunciations being utterly out of place, were as harmless as the “twitterings” of the bird for which he was named. If Job could only see things as God does, Zophar contends, he would realize that he is not suffering as much as he really deserves! His ignorance of God’s greatness disqualifies him to question His justice. Verse 12 is an especially unkind cut, aimed obviously at Job: “For an empty-headed man will be wise, when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.“11:13-20 The best thing for Job to do is put . . . away his sins; then God will give him security, rest, and comfort. If not, there is no escape from destruction.