Job 12 | MHM | STEP | Job's Reply to Zophar This section contains Job’s strong response to Zophar’s speech. Job’s words are sharp and challenge the pride and scorn of his friends. His reply teaches us about the danger of thinking we are wiser than others and about the pain caused by being mocked, especially by those who should be supportive. v. 1-2 : Job begins by speaking with irony. He accuses his friends of acting as if they alone have wisdom. No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you (Job 12:2 ). Job says his friends think they are the only wise people and that when they die, no one else will be wise. He is making fun of their arrogance and warns that it is foolish to believe we are wiser than everyone else.

‏ Job 12

Job's Reply to Zophar

This section contains Job’s strong response to Zophar’s speech. Job’s words are sharp and challenge the pride and scorn of his friends. His reply teaches us about the danger of thinking we are wiser than others and about the pain caused by being mocked, especially by those who should be supportive.

v. 1-2: Job begins by speaking with irony. He accuses his friends of acting as if they alone have wisdom. No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you(Job 12:2 ^a). Job says his friends think they are the only wise people and that when they die, no one else will be wise. He is making fun of their arrogance and warns that it is foolish to believe we are wiser than everyone else.

–

v. 3: Job defends himself by saying that he has understanding too. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?. Job wants them to know that he is not less wise than they are. The things they have said are common knowledge, and many people can talk about them. We should remember that others also have wisdom and the right to their own opinions (Matthew 23:8 ^b).

v. 4: Job complains about the way they have treated him. I am a laughingstock to my friends, I who called on God and he answered me—a just and blameless man—am a laughingstock. He feels mocked by the very people who should support him. Sometimes, people feel insulted when they are only being advised, but it is especially painful when the criticism comes from friends who also believe in God (Psalm 55:12-13 ^c).

v. 5: Job explains why he thinks they mock him. In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip. He says that people who are comfortable often look down on those who are suffering. Even good and upright people can be despised when they are having troubles. Wealth and comfort can make people proud, causing them to forget or ignore those who are struggling (Psalm 123:4 ^d).

The Prosperity of the Wicked

In this section, Job answers his friends’ belief that wicked people never succeed for long and are quickly punished by God. Job disagrees. He says that God allows people to prosper or suffer as He chooses, and the full reward or punishment often comes later, not always in this life.

v. 6: Job argues that wicked people can and often do prosper in this world. The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure; into their hand God brings abundantly. Even those who do terrible things, like robbers or people who challenge God, may have great success. Sometimes their families even continue to benefit from their gains. But we should not judge someone’s character by their riches, because sometimes those who do evil seem to have everything they want (Psalm 73:7 ^e).

v. 7-8: Job says that even the animals and the earth can teach us this lesson. But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you(Job 12:7-8 ^f). In nature, the strong often defeat the weak, and animals serve the needs of wicked people. The earth gives its fruits to the hands of oppressors. The whole creation suffers under evil people, but it also proves that God allows these things for His own reasons (Romans 8:20,22 ^g).

–

v. 9: From all of creation, we can learn that God is in control. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?. Everything in nature shows God’s power and wisdom. He rules over all things, and His decisions are beyond what we can fully understand.

v. 10: Job states clearly that God has control over every living creature. In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. All life comes from God, depends on Him, and can be taken away by Him at any time. God owns every soul, so He has the right to do as He pleases.

v. 11: Job finishes this part by saying that people should use their minds to judge words, just as their mouths taste food. Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?. We should listen carefully and think about what is true, just like we taste food to see if it is good. We must use wisdom to decide what to believe (1 Corinthians 10:15 ^h).

True Wisdom Belongs to God

This section is part of Job’s reply to his friends. Job reminds them that wisdom does not only come from old age or long life, but true understanding and power belong to God alone. He explains that God’s wisdom is deeper than anyone can imagine, and that God controls everything that happens on earth. Job wants his friends to understand that human wisdom is limited, but God’s wisdom is infinite.

v. 12: Job says, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days” . He shows respect for elders, saying that people who have lived a long time often have wisdom and experience. But he is also hinting that this kind of wisdom is not enough when talking about God’s ways.

v. 13: He continues, “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding” . Job explains that, even though old people have wisdom, only God has perfect wisdom and real power. God alone makes the best plans and truly understands everything.

v. 14: Job says, “If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open” . He teaches that God is in control. If God decides to destroy something, no one can fix it. If God lets someone be trapped or in trouble, only God can set him free.

v. 15: Job adds, “If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land” . God controls nature. He can stop the rain and cause a drought, or He can send floods. Everything depends on God’s will.

v. 16: He says, “With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his” . Job points out that God’s wisdom and strength are perfect. Even those who trick others, and those who are tricked, are still under God’s power and control.

v. 17: “He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools” . Job explains that even wise leaders and judges can be confused or defeated by God. God can take away their wisdom and make them look foolish.

v. 18: “He looses the bonds of kings and binds a waistcloth on their hips” . God can take away the freedom of kings and make them prisoners. He can humble the most powerful people on earth.

v. 19: “He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty” . Even religious leaders and strong rulers are under God’s control. God can bring them down if He chooses.

v. 20: “He deprives of speech those who are trusted and takes away the discernment of the elders” . God can take away the ability to speak from trusted advisors, and He can remove understanding from old, respected people.

v. 21: “He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong” . God can make important leaders lose their honor and can weaken those who seem powerful.

v. 22: “He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light” . God knows all secrets and can reveal things that are hidden. Nothing is hidden from God.

v. 23: “He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away” . God is in control of all countries. He can make nations powerful or weak, according to His will.

v. 24: “He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste” . God can make even the most important leaders lose their sense and become confused, not knowing what to do.

v. 25: “They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man” (Job 12:25 ⁱ). These leaders end up lost and helpless, like blind people searching in the dark, or like drunk people who cannot walk straight.

In this passage, Job teaches that wisdom and power belong to God alone. People may think they are wise, but God rules over all and knows everything. We should trust God’s wisdom, even when we cannot understand what He is doing. True knowledge is to respect God and submit to His will.