3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
Surely there are mockers with me, My eye dwells on their provocation.
I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.
Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
"Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or with speeches with which he can do no good?
If it isn't so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech worth nothing?"
Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek your name, Yahweh.
I didn't sit in the assembly of those who make merry, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of your hand; for you have filled me with indignation.
and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 11
Commentary on Job 11 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 11
Poor Job's wound's were yet bleeding, his sore still runs and ceases not, but none of his friends bring him any oil, any balm; Zophar, the third, pours into them as much vinegar as the two former had done.
Job 11:1-6
It is sad to see what intemperate passions even wise and good men are sometimes betrayed into by the heat of disputation, of which Zophar here is an instance. Eliphaz began with a very modest preface, ch. 4:2. Bildad was a little more rough upon Job, ch. 8:2. But Zophar falls upon him without mercy, and gives him very bad language: Should a man full of talk be justified? And should thy lies make men hold their peace? Is this the way to comfort Job? No, nor to convince him neither. Does this become one that appears as an advocate for God and his justice? Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?-In heavenly breasts can such resentment dwell? Those that engage in controversy will find it very hard to keep their temper. All the wisdom, caution, and resolution they have will be little enough to prevent their breaking out into such indecencies as we here find Zophar guilty of.
Job 11:7-12
Zophar here speaks very good things concerning God and his greatness and glory, concerning man and his vanity and folly: these two compared together, and duly considered, will have a powerful influence upon our submission to all the dispensations of the divine Providence.
Job 11:13-20
Zophar, as the other two, here encourages Job to hope for better times if he would but come to a better temper.