Chapter Eleven

Zophar’s speech. 1–3. Introduction — the occasion for the speech. 4–12. Complete lawfulness and justice of the punishment that befell Job. 13–20. Counsel to Job to repent, and then he will be comforted.

Job 11:1. And Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: Job 11:2. Can a multitude of words go unanswered, and is a man full of talk to be justified? Job 11:3. Shall your empty talk reduce men to silence? Will you mock, and no one shame you? Verbosity is not a sign of wisdom and truth (Prov 10:19), which brings listeners to silence through the power of its truth (Job 6:25); rather, it testifies to foolishness (Eccl 5:2). Considering Job’s lengthy speech to be unconvincing empty talk, Zophar does not allow the possibility of answering it with silence. Such silence would testify to the friends’ inability to understand and refute the emptiness of Job’s words, would speak of their foolishness.

Job 11:4. You say: “My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Your eyes. Job 11:5. But if only God would speak and open His lips against you— Job 11:6. and He would reveal to you the secrets of wisdom, that they are manifold in effect! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves. In contrast to Job, who is sure of the rightness of his judgments, his innocence (Job 10:7) and the undeservedness of his punishment, Zophar asserts that Job suffers not only fully deserved punishment, but even less than deserved: some of his sins are not revealed to him by God (v. 5), are consigned by God to oblivion (cf. Job 14:17) — forgiven.

Job 11:7. Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? Job 11:8. It is higher than heaven — what can you do? Deeper than Sheol — what can you know? Job 11:9. Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. And as in the present case, so also in cases of greater sufferings Job has no right to dispute their justice. His protest is unreasonable, since it is a protest of a human limited in wisdom against God, whose wisdom, taken in all its scope, in all its depth and breadth (v. 8–9), surpasses human understanding (v. 7; cf. Rom 11:33). If man is not capable of comprehending in his vision and thought the heavens, sea, and earth, how then can he grasp their Creator? Job will condemn what he does not understand.

Job 11:10. If He passes through and imprisons and convenes a court, who can hinder Him? Job 11:11. For He knows deceitful men and sees iniquity; will He not consider it? Protest is not only unreasonable but also futile. Divine decrees, based on comprehensive knowledge of transgression even when concealed and covered up with falsehood, are just and therefore irresistible. Man must submit to them.

Job 11:12. But a hollow man will gain understanding, though man is born like a wild ass’s colt. So the wise man will act; but as for the hollow man, a donkey would sooner become human than he would come to reason (Delitzsch).

Job 11:13. If you direct your heart right and stretch out your hands to Him— Job 11:14. if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents— Job 11:15. then you will lift up your face without blemish, and you will be steadfast and will not fear. Job 11:16. You will forget your trouble; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. Job 11:17. Your life will be brighter than noon; its darkness will be like the morning. Job 11:18. You will be secure, for there is hope; you will look around you and take your rest in safety. Job 11:19. You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; and many will entreat your favor. God’s decrees are wise and irresistible; therefore they must be obeyed, not resisted. Humility is rewarded, pride is punished. When Job ceases his complaint, “directs his heart correctly” — gives it true direction (v. 13, cf. 1 Sam 7:3; 2 Chr 20:33; Ps 77:8), which will express itself in prayer and removal from all evil (v. 14, cf. Job 8:5-6), then God will reward him. He will be healed of his diseases, his face will become clean, freed from pustules (v. 15); not experiencing fear of loss, he will enjoy stable, uninterrupted happiness, happiness so complete and encompassing his entire existence that memories of past sufferings will leave no bitterness in his soul (v. 16). Not darkened by either anxiety about the future (v. 15) or sad memories of the past, Job’s life will be brighter than noon — the brightest time of day (v. 17). Even in case of danger, he, confident in divine help and protection, can enjoy peace, not fearing calamity; it will not touch him (v. 18–19; cf. Job 5:21-24; Lev 26:6; Zeph 3:13). Finally, God’s favor toward Job will make him an object of respect for many: they will seek, strive for his goodwill (v. 19 cf. Prov 19:6).

Job 11:20. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; and they will have no refuge, and their hope will perish. A completely different fate awaits the wicked. Not only will he not see anything good (“the eyes of the wicked fail” — Deut 28:32), but he will not be able to escape dangers — hope for deliverance from them will vanish (cf. Job 8:22).