A congregational study of the Book of Job. By Pastor Jose Luis
Session Ten. Read Job Chapters 11-14
Job´s third friend Zophar defies Job´s belief of innocence (11:4 For you say, ‘My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God’s sight.’ But O that God would speak,
and open his lips to you, and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! ). For Zophar Job lacks real wisdom to understand God´s will (11:7 “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?), and considers that Job is ignorant of the divine will (11: 11-12: For he knows those who are worthless;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.)
Job answers his friends with irony (12:2 “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.”) and criticizes them because they do not provide any real help, and he considers that they do more staying silent (13:4-5 As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians. If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom!)
Job considers that nature (the world around) has more hope than humans. Nature can recycle itself, we humans are mortal beings, 14: 7 and 10-11.
Job is waiting for an opportunity to advocate his cause to God´s judgement (13:3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.), because he does not find any word of God through his friends.
Are your friends the right kind of spiritual support when you are suffering? How do you find the right words to comfort people suffering?
Tell me your impressions. pastor@lcostampa.org