Job 12:1-14:22

Job responds in anger to Zophar’s words to him. He accuses Zophar of not listening to him and telling him things he already knows. Job then asks why Zophar is defending God? Job knows that God is great enough to defend himself. Job then begs God to show him how he has sinned; he can think of no occasion when he has sinned against God.

How often are we so busy preparing what we are about to say that we do not listen to what a person is saying? How often are we so sure of our own opinion that we fail to ask God what his opinion is? These are the mistakes that Zophar has made.

Job reacts with such hostility to Zophar (mockingly saying “you really know everything don’t you?”) because Zophar has completely ignored everything Job had to say. Job has just repeated his innocence twice, but Zophar has a predetermined idea of what is wrong in Job’s life and will not listen to what Job has to say.

When our friends come to us for help in times of darkness (or when we go to our suffering friends) we must go with open minds and Christ centered hearts. If we have already determined what is wrong with them, then we will not be able to listen to what they have to say. If we have already decided what they need to do to fix themselves, then we will not be able to listen to what God is saying. Do not be a Zophar and burden your already suffering friend. Instead truly listening with a loving heart and spend time with them asking God for direction as to where the two of you should go from there.

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