Job 11:2-12

2 "Don't all of your words require an answer? I'm sure that what you are saying can't be right.
3 Your useless talk won't keep us quiet. Someone has to correct you when you make fun of truth.
4 You say to God, 'My beliefs are perfect. I'm pure in your sight.'
5 I wish God would speak. I wish he'd answer you.
6 I wish he'd show you the secrets of wisdom. After all, true wisdom has two sides. Here's what I want you to know. God has forgotten some of your sins.
7 "Do you know how deep the mysteries of God are? Can you discover the limits of the Mighty One's knowledge?
8 They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the deepest grave. What can you know?
9 They are longer than the earth. They are wider than the ocean.
10 "Suppose God comes along and puts you in prison. Suppose he takes you to court. Then who can oppose him?
11 He certainly knows when people tell lies. When he sees evil, he pays careful attention to it.
12 A wild donkey's colt can't be born a human being. And a man who doesn't have any sense can't become wise.

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.

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