Job 11:4-5

At the start, Job’s friends believed that Job was a good man. But they could not explain why God would allow an innocent man to suffer. So they started to think that Job might, in fact, be evil. In the end, Eliphaz would accuse Job clearly (Job 22:4-9).

Zophar’s explanation shows his doubts about Job’s character. Zophar said that he was wise enough to understand a secret about God. This secret was that God was really kind, even to Job. This seems a strange statement because Job was suffering so much. Zophar explained that Job deserved punishment for his evil behaviour. But God was kind. The punishment would be much worse if God punished Job for every evil deed.

When Job heard this, his attitudes changed. He became bolder. He realised that his friends’ words were in fact evil (Job 13:7). He warned them not to accuse him unfairly (Job 13:10). He told them about God’s deeds (Job 12:13). And Job realised that he needed to trust God (Job 13:3). Job knew now that nobody else would help him.

God is very great

v7 You cannot search for God. And you cannot find him.

You cannot measure his greatness. v8 You would need to measure heaven and hell. So, you know nothing. v9 You cannot even measure the sea and the land.

v10 Suppose that God comes to arrest you. In his court, nobody could oppose God. v11 God knows when people lie. God watches evil men.

v12 But a stupid man will not become wise. A wild donkey (animal) is not born tame.