Job 11

10–12 Here Zophar implies that Job is both deceitful and witless (verses 11–12). God surely takes note of Job's evil, and His judgment cannot be opposed (verse 10). In verse 12, Zophar suggests it would take a miracle to change Job.

13–20 Just as Zophar has asserted that suffering is always the result of sin, so here in these verses he makes the corollary assertion that prosperity is always the result of righteousness. In both assertions, it is the word “always” that is wrong. Zophar allows no exceptions. All that Job has to do is to put away his sin and allow no evil into his life (verse 14), and his future will be brighter than noonday from then on (verses 17–19).

Zophar's thinking here does not take into account life after death; he is only thinking of rewards and punishments in this life. But we, having the perspective of New Testament teaching, know that when the afterlife is taken into account, then the righteous will always be rewarded and the wicked always punished. But it may not happen in this earthly life. Job, from his own experience, knew that in this life the righteous sometimes suffer and the wicked sometimes prosper—something Job's three friends would not accept. Even sincere REPENTANCE does not automatically result in earthly prosperity and happiness; the consequences of past sins cannot be erased so easily. Yes, the repentant sinner is forgiven and assured of salvation, but the effects of his sins will often remain until he dies.

Let us learn from Zophar's errors. He was proud, unfeeling, dogmatic and judgmental. He was sure he knew the cause of Job's problem; he was sure he knew the ways of God. People who are so “sure” about God and other people are very often wrong and end up doing great harm in the family of God.