Job 20:1-29
Q.1. What caused Zophar the Naamathite to answer Job? What did he imply about Job? What was his message to the suffering man? – (Job 20:1-11)
Job’s friends had come to sympathize with him over his immense losses. They had kept quiet for seven days, because they saw his pain was so great (Job 2:11-13). However, like his other friends, Zophar was annoyed by Job’s searching, so made it about himself (Job 20:1-3). He joined the others in concluding that the source of Job’s suffering was his sin and secret evil – 4 “Do you know this from of old, from the establishment of man on earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless momentary? (Job 20:4-5). He reminded Job that the wicked disappear and lose all their sordid gain (Job 20:7-11). This would only add to Job’s sense of unfairness and remove what little hope he still held.
Q.2. How did Zophar describe the wicked? How did he claim that wicked people were treated by God? What was his explanation for Job’s suffering? – (Job 20:12-29)
Zophar had more to say about the demise of the wicked. He implied that Job had become rich at the expense of the poor (Job 20:12-19). He assured Job that wicked people lose all their ill-gotten gains and – “When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him … (Job 20:23). He concluded with a blistering attack on the suffering man – 27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. 28 “The increase of his house will depart; His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger. 29 “This is the wicked man’s portion from God, even the heritage decreed to him by God (Job 20:27-29). Perhaps the clearest lesson for us from Zophar, is how NOT to comfort the sufferer.