Job Replies to His Three Friends
May 24, 2021
Commentary
All three of Job’s friends have now spoken, and it is Job’s turn to reply again (v. 1). Though he is suffering deeply, Job is still able to think clearly. He begins with a sarcastic response, suggesting that his friends speak as if all wisdom begins and ends with them (v. 2). Job tells them they have not explained anything new about God, because he already knows what they know (v. 3). Their words have not helped him but have instead added to his pain, making him a “laughingstock” (v. 4). Job reminds them that he once prayed to God and was answered. He believes it is easy for those who are comfortable to forget that a righteous person can still suffer greatly at times (vv. 5-6)
Job continues by challenging his friends’ claim to superior knowledge. He argues that their understanding is not special, since even animals and nature reveal God’s power and wisdom (vv. 7–11). This is a common human attitude, even among believers today. Job’s friends never helped him reach a place of humility like Paul’s words, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). Job insists that wisdom is not limited to age or tradition alone (v. 12). True wisdom belongs to God, who possesses all understanding and power (vv. 13–15). Humility opens hearts to learning God’s deeper truths.
Job then speaks about God’s complete sovereignty. God rules not only over nature but also over people and nations (vv. 16–25). He can remove wisdom from counselors, take authority from judges, and weaken powerful leaders (vv. 17–21). No human strength or position can stand against Him. Even entire nations rise and fall under God’s control. Through this response, Job shows that he trusts God’s greatness, even while he struggles to understand his own suffering.
Application
When I hear Job speak, I ask myself how I respond when misunderstood. Do I defend myself with pride, or speak honestly with humility? Do I assume I know more than others? Today, I want to re-member that true wisdom comes from God, not my experience alone. Can I listen, stay teachable, and trust God even when life feels unfair?
Job 12:1–25 (NET)
1 Then Job answered:
2 “Without a doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
3 I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
4 I am a laughingstock to my friends, I, who called on God and whom he answered — a righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock!
5 For calamity, there is derision (according to the ideas of the fortunate)— a fate for those whose feet slip.
6 But the tents of robbers are peaceful, and those who provoke God are confident — who carry their god in their hands.
7 “But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you.
8 Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you.
9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all the human race.
11 Does not the ear test words, as the tongue tastes food?
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
13 “With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
14 If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a person, there is no escape.
15 If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land.
16 With him are strength and prudence; both the one who goes astray and the one who misleads are his.
17 He leads counselors away stripped and makes judges into fools.
18 He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist.
19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the potentates.
20 He deprives the trusted advisers of speech and takes away the discernment of elders.
21 He pours contempt on noblemen and disarms the powerful.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness, and brings deep shadows into the light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them; he extends the boundaries of nations and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their understanding; he makes them wander in a trackless desert waste.
25 They grope about in darkness without light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.
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