Job 11:2-12

2 "Should these words go unanswered? Is this talker in the right?
3 Your lies do not make people quiet; people should correct you when you make fun of God.
4 You say, 'My teachings are right, and I am clean in God's sight.'
5 I wish God would speak and open his lips against you
6 and tell you the secrets of wisdom, because wisdom has two sides. your sin.
7 "Can you understand the secrets of God?
8 His limits are higher than the heavens; you cannot reach them! They are deeper than the grave; you cannot understand them!
9 His limits are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
10 "If God comes along and puts you in prison or calls you into court, no one can stop him.
11 God knows who is evil, and when he sees evil, he takes note of it.
12 A fool cannot become wise any more than a wild donkey can be born tame.

Job 11:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 11

In this chapter Zophar the Naamathite, Job's third friend, attacks him, and the with great acrimony and severity, and with much indecency; he charges him not only with loquacity, and vain babbling, but with lying, and with scoffing at God, and good men, Job 11:1-3; which he attempts to support by some things Job had said, misrepresented by him, Job 11:4; and wishes that God would take him in hand, and convince him of the wisdom of the divine proceedings with him, and of his lenity and mercy to him, Job 11:5,6; and then discourses of the unsearchableness of God in his counsels, and conduct; of his sovereignty, and of his power, and of the vanity and folly of men, Job 11:7-19; and as his friends before him, having insinuated that Job was guilty of some heinous sin, or sins, and especially of hypocrisy, advises him to repentance and reformation, and then it would be well with him; and he should enjoy much comfort, peace, and safety, even to old age, Job 11:13-19; and concludes it should go ill with the wicked man and the hypocrite, such as he suggests Job was, Job 11:20.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.