Job 12:1-11

1 Job answered:

2 "I'm sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there'll be no one left to tell us how to live.

3 But don't forget that I also have a brain - I don't intend to play second fiddle to you. It doesn't take an expert to know these things.

4 "I'm ridiculed by my friends: 'So that's the man who had conversations with God!' Ridiculed without mercy: 'Look at the man who never did wrong!'

5 It's easy for the well-to-do to point their fingers in blame, for the well-fixed to pour scorn on the strugglers.

6 Crooks reside safely in high-security houses, insolent blasphemers live in luxury; they've bought and paid for a god who'll protect them.

7 "But ask the animals what they think - let them teach you; let the birds tell you what's going on.

8 Put your ear to the earth - learn the basics. Listen - the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.

9 Isn't it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand -

10 Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature?

11 Isn't this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste?

Job 12:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 12

In this and the two following chapter Job makes answer to Zophar's discourse in the former; who having represented him as an ignorant man, he resents it, and begins his defence with a biting sarcasm on him and his friends, as being self-conceited, and having an high opinion of their own wisdom, as if none had any but themselves, Job 12:1,2; and puts in his claim for a share with them, as being not at all inferior to them, Job 12:3; and then refutes their notions, that it always goes well with good men, and ill with bad men; whereas the reverse is the truth, Job 12:4-6; and which they might learn from the brute creatures; or he sends them to them, to observe to them, that the best things they had knowledge of concerning God and his providence, and of his wisdom therein, were common notions that everyone had, and might be learned from beasts, birds, and fishes; particularly, that all things in the whole universe are made by God, and sustained by him, and are under his direction, and at his disposal, Job 12:7-10; and such things might as easily be searched, examined, and judged of, as sounds are tried by the ear, and food by the mouth, Job 12:11; and seeing it is usual among men, at least it may be expected that men in years should have a considerable share of wisdom and knowledge, it might be strongly inferred from thence, without any difficulty, that the most perfect and consummate wisdom was in God, Job 12:12,13; whence he passes on to discourse most admirably and excellently of the wisdom and power of God in the dispensations of his providence, in a variety of instances; which shows his knowledge of his perfections, ways, and works, was not inferior to that of his friends, Job 12:14-25.