Job 12:4-14

4 "Anyone who calls on God, and he answers him, becomes a laughingstock to his friends -they make fun of an innocent, blameless man.

5 Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, for the blow that strikes somebody already staggering.

6 The tents of robbers prosper, [the homes of] those who anger God are secure, those who carry their gods in their hands.

7 "But ask the animals - they will teach you -and the birds in the air - they will tell you;

8 or speak to the earth - it will teach you -and the fish in the sea will inform you:

9 every one of them knows that the hand of ADONAI has done this!

10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the spirit of every human being.

11 Shouldn't the ear test words, just as the palate tastes food?

12 Is wisdom [only] with aged men? discernment [only] with long life?

13 "With God are wisdom and power; he has [good] counsel and understanding.

14 When he breaks something down, it can't be rebuilt; when he imprisons someone, he can't be released.

Job 12:4-14 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.