Job 12:9-19

9 Isn't it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand -

10 Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature?

11 Isn't this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste?

12 Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom, that you have to grow old before you understand life?

13 "True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for.

14 If he tears something down, it's down for good; if he locks people up, they're locked up for good.

15 If he holds back the rain, there's a drought; if he lets it loose, there's a flood.

16 Strength and success belong to God; both deceived and deceiver must answer to him.

17 He strips experts of their vaunted credentials, exposes judges as witless fools.

18 He divests kings of their royal garments, then ties a rag around their waists.

19 He strips priests of their robes, and fires high officials from their jobs.

Job 12:9-19 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.