Job 12:4-14

4 El que invoca a Dios, y él le responde, es burlado de su amigo; y el justo y perfecto es escarnecido

5 La antorcha es tenida en poco en el pensamiento del próspero; la cual se aparejó contra las caídas de los pies

6 Las tiendas de los ladrones están en paz; y los que provocan a Dios, y los que traen dioses en sus manos viven seguros

7 Y en efecto, pregunta ahora a las bestias, que ellas te enseñarán; y a las aves de los cielos, que ellas te lo mostrarán

8 o habla a la tierra, que ella te enseñará; los peces del mar te lo declararán también

9 ¿Qué cosa de todas éstas no entiende que la mano del SEÑOR la hizo

10 En su mano está el alma de todo viviente, y el espíritu de toda carne humana

11 Ciertamente el oído prueba las palabras, y el paladar gusta las viandas

12 En el antiguo está la sabiduría, y en la larga edad la inteligencia

13 Con él está la sabiduría y la fortaleza; suyo es el consejo y la inteligencia

14 He aquí, él derribará, y no será edificado; encerrará al hombre, y no habrá quien le abra

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.