Zophar's Judgment

Zophar's Judgment

 

Job 11:1-20

 

Zophar the Naamahite steps forward and refute Job’s words. He says that the punishment Job received is lighter than Job's sins, and advises him to repent of his sins and abandon evil.

 

Zophar of Naamah steps forward, saying that Job's words are so impure and absurd that he cannot listen to them anymore. He evaluates Job's claim as nonsense and an arrogant claim that only he is right.

He refutes Job's claim that Shobal's mistakes are minor compared to his righteous deeds, and instead argues that the punishment given to Job is lighter than Job's sins. Although Job protests that he has no sin, he cries out that the God of wisdom clearly knows everyone's mistakes.

 

Zophar says that what Job should do is not to appeal with a bitter heart, but to repent with a humble heart. He also advises that if Job gives up on evil and drives out injustice from his house, his suffering and fear will pass and bright days will come. Sobal's belief is that fear and pain are the responsibility of the wicked, and that there is always peace and rest for the righteous who seek God, which is the traditional wisdom of the principle of cause and effect (results in something are those that correspond to it). It follows this.

 

God is a good God who hates evil (verses 14, 15). However, God is not confined only to the doctrine of causal retribution. Let us be careful not to make the mistake of limiting the great God to our shallow theology and small and narrow container of faith.

 

Zophar makes rash judgments as if he were in the position of God and knew everything accurately (verse 6). Humility is honestly admitting what you don’t know and suspending judgment. Refrain from hasty criticism and leave the final judgment to the Lord.

 

Lord, help me not to hastily judge others or harass others with foolish words.

 

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