4 I am to be one that is a derision to his friend, I who call upon +God, and whom he will answer: a derision is the just upright [man].
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.
But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
And he hath made me a proverb of the peoples; and I am become one to be spit on in the face.
Are there not mockers around me? and doth [not] mine eye abide in their provocation?
And they derided him. But he, having put [them] all out, takes with [him] the father of the child, and the mother, and those that were with him, and enters in where the child was lying.
and others underwent trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, and of bonds and imprisonment.
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things, and mocked him.
Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it.
But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and I will shew thee great and hidden things, which thou knowest not.
With profane jesters for bread, they have gnashed their teeth against me.
All they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying:] Commit it to Jehovah -- let him rescue him; let him deliver him, because he delighteth in him!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 12
Commentary on Job 12 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 12
In this and the two following chapters we have Job's answer to Zophar's discourse, in which, as before, he first reasons with his friends (see 13:19) and then turns to his God, and directs his expostulations to him, from thence to the end of his discourse. In this chapter he addresses himself to his friends, and,
Job 12:1-5
The reproofs Job here gives to his friends, whether they were just or no, were very sharp, and may serve for a rebuke to all that are proud and scornful, and an exposure of their folly.
Job 12:6-11
Job's friends all of them went upon this principle, that wicked people cannot prosper long in this world, but some remarkable judgment or other will suddenly light on them: Zophar had concluded with it, that the eyes of the wicked shall fail, ch. 11:20. This principle Job here opposes, and maintains that God, in disposing men's outward affairs, acts as a sovereign, reserving the exact distribution of rewards and punishments for the future state.
Job 12:12-25
This is a noble discourse of Job's concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering and disposing of all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of his own will, which none dares gainsay or can resist. Take both him and them out of the controversy in which they were so warmly engaged, and they all spoke admirably well; but, in that, we sometimes scarcely know what to make of them. It were well if wise and good men, that differ in their apprehensions about minor things, would see it to be for their honour and comfort, and the edification of others, to dwell most upon those great things in which they are agreed. On this subject Job speaks like himself. Here are no passionate complaints, no peevish reflections, but every thing masculine and great.
Thus are the revolutions of kingdoms wonderfully brought about by an overruling Providence. Heaven and earth are shaken, but the Lord sits King for ever, and with him we look for a kingdom that cannot be shaken.