Job 11:6-16

6 That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.

7 "Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

8 They are higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know?

9 Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

10 "If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?

11 For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?

12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey's colt is born a man.

13 "If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;

14 If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

15 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;

16 Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,

Job 11:6-16 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.