It’s Zophar’s turn to speak, and he too seems to think Job has sinned and that’s why these trials are happening.
He starts off by saying:
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Job 11:2-3 (KJV)
Lesson here: don’t let “foolish talk” (as the CEV puts it) go unchallenged. Like, when someone is making a mockery of God or spreading lies or saying wrong things–don’t just be silent. Correct them (politely). Tell the truth. Speak up!
Then in verse 7, he asks Job, “Can you understand God? Understand all the things He does? Do you know why He is the way He is, why He does the stuff He does? Can you comprehend or explain the mysteries surrounding Him? No,” he continues in verses 8 and 9, “they’re higher than the heavens, deeper than the grave. The measure of the mysteries outreaches the earth and the sea. You can’t know, can’t understand.”
We can’t understand God, y’all. We can’t explain why He is how He is or why He does what He does. We can’t fathom the “mysteries” surrounding Him.
And then come these beautiful and poetic verses:
Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins–even those you do in secret. Then you won’t be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. You will rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry. You will sleep without fear and be greatly respected.
Job 11:13-19 (CEV)
I don’t know if Zophar was just spouting off these words or if God gave them to him. Either way, I love them. š
When we give up our sins and ask God for forgiveness…we just feel so much better, right? “There’s no pillow softer than a clear conscience” is a true saying. Knowing that our sins are under the blood–are forgiven and washed away–allows us to walk tall and unashamed, to relax and sleep peacefully, to-to just feel better!
A note on the part about the troubles going away. We might still experience trouble, might face consequences for our sin. I say “might”–we very most likely will. However, the troubles caused by our sins bothering us (guiltiness, fear, sleepless nights, etc.) will go away.
Anyway, that’s all I have to say about this chapter. š
