Job 11:13-20

Abiding hope

13 If you make your mind resolute and spread your palms to him,

14 if you throw out the sin in your hands and don't let injustice dwell in your tents,

15 then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and not fear.

16 You will forget trouble; you will remember it as water that flows past.

17 A life span will rise brighter than noon; darkness will be like morning.

18 You will be secure, for there is hope; you will look around and rest safely.

19 You will lie down without anyone to scare you; many will beg for your favor.

20 The eyes of the wicked will grow faint; flight has vanished from them; their hope is a dying gasp.

Job 11:13-20 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.