JOB’S REPLY TO ZOPHAR

JOB’S REPLY TO ZOPHAR (chaps. 12., 13., 14.).—Smarting under these odious imputations, Job became sarcastic: “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you,” and he returned to his previously stated thesis, the undoubted prosperity of the wicked. “The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure. . . . With him is strength and wisdom, the deceived and the deceiver are his” (5:6, 16). He reproached all his three friends with the words, “Ye are forgers of lies; ye are all physicians of no value;” and declared that God would surely reprove them, if they secretly accepted persons. “Though he slay me,” said Job, “yet will I trust in him, but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” And then, turning to God, he said, “How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.” In this he was afterwards answered by the Almighty, and first humbled to the dust, and then exalted. The rest of his reply to Zophar in this place, is found in the well-known and pathetic passage in chap. 14. on the frailty of mortal life.
1917 Christadelphian, p 114.