Job 12:1-11

1 Then Job answered:

2 "You really think you are the only wise people and that when you die, wisdom will die with you!

3 But my mind is as good as yours; you are not better than I am. Everyone knows all these things.

4 My friends all laugh at me when I call on God and expect him to answer me; they laugh at me even though I am right and innocent!

5 Those who are comfortable don't care that others have trouble; they think it right that those people should have troubles.

6 The tents of robbers are not bothered, and those who make God angry are safe. They have their god in their pocket.

7 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

8 Speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea tell you.

9 Every one of these knows that the hand of the Lord has done this.

10 The life of every creature and the breath of all people are in God's hand.

11 The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.

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.