.14:1-22.

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Job’s reply to Zophar (Job 12:1-14:22)

The reply from Job opens with a sarcastic comment on the supposed wisdom of the three friends. They have merely been repeating general truths that everybody knows (Job 12:1-3).

They do not have the troubles Job has, and they make no attempt to understand how Job feels. A good person suffers while wicked people live in peace and security (Job 12:4-6).

Job does not argue with the fact that all life is in God’s hands. What worries him is the interpretation of that fact (Job 12:7-10).

As a person tastes food before swallowing it, so Job will test the old interpretations before accepting them (Job 12:11-12).

Being well taught himself, Job then quotes at length from the traditional teaching. God is perfect in wisdom and his power is irresistible (Job 12:13-16).

He humbles the mighty (Job 12:17-22) and overthrows nations (Job 12:23-25).

Job knows all this as well as his friends do. What he wants to know is why God does these things (Job 13:1-3).

The three friends think they are speaking for God in accusing Job, but Job points out that this cannot be so, because God does not use deceit. They would be wiser to keep quiet (Job 12:4-8).

They themselves should fear God, because he will one day examine and judge them as they believe he has examined and judged Job (Job 12:9-12).

The friends are now asked to be silent and listen as Job presents his case before God (Job 12:13). He knows he is risking his life in being so bold, for an ungodly person could not survive in God’s presence. Job, however, believes he is innocent. If God or anyone else can prove him guilty, he will willingly accept the death sentence (Job 12:14-19).

Job makes just two requests of God. First, he asks God to give him some relief from pain so that he can present his case. Second, he asks that God will not cause him to be overcome with fear as he comes into the divine presence. He wants to ask God questions, and he promises to answer any questions God asks him (Job 12:20-22).

To begin with, Job asks what accusations God has against him. Why is he forced to suffer (Job 12:23-25)? Is he, for example, reaping the fruits of sins done in his youth? Whatever the answer, he feels completely helpless in his present plight (Job 12:26-28).

Life is short and a certain amount of trouble and wrongdoing is to be expected (Job 14:1-5).

Why then, asks Job, does God not leave people alone so that they can enjoy their short lives without unnecessary suffering (Job 12:6)? Even trees are better off than people. A tree that is cut down may sprout again, but a person who is ‘cut down’ is dead for ever (Job 12:7-10).

He is (to use another picture) like a river or lake that has dried up (Job 12:11-12).

Job wishes that Sheol, the place of the dead, were only a temporary dwelling place. Then, after a period when he gains relief from suffering and cleansing from sin, he could continue life in a new and more meaningful fellowship with God. If he knew this to be true, he would be able to endure his present sufferings more patiently (Job 12:13-17).

Instead, the only feeling that accompanies his pain is the feeling of hopelessness. He knows he will be cut off from those he loves most, never to see them or hear of them again. Like soil washed away by a river he will disappear, never to return (Job 12:18-22).