WHEN LIFE ISN'T FAIR

Now, the last of Job's friends, Zophar, gives his opinion why Job is suffering such terrible
adversity.   Zophar also lacks compassion and kindness.

Eliphaz had accused Job of not practicing what he preached when it came to suffering.   His
rationalization was God always blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked.   For this reason, he
had to be guilty of some terrible wickedness.

Bildad accused Job of being nothing more than a bag of wind.   He said that God always acts justly
- and if Job had not sinned then it had to be his children.   He accused Job of being a hypocrite
who had forsaken God and said Job's faith was like a spider's web, offering no support in crisis.
Zophar is the next friend of Job to talk.

  1. Zophar's Allegations.   (11:1-20)

    1. Zophar is angered that Job maintains his innocence.   Job 11:23.
      1. Job had consistently denied being guilty of any evil act.   However, He did not
        claim to be perfect.   Job 7:20,21.
    2. Zophar speaks with eloquence about God's omnipresence, omnipotence, and
      omniscience in verses 7-10.   In verse 11 he makes it clear that God sees through
      hypocrisy.
    3. Note Zophar's further comment.   (Job 11:12).   He is saying that dumb Job had about
      as much chance of becoming wise as a wild donkey has to be born tame.
    4. Some have said that Zophar's was the original prosperity preacher because of what
      he told Job would happen if he would only repent of his sin.   Job 11:16,17.
    5. Zophar was greatly mistaken because Job's suffering was not God's punishment for
      his sin.   Job 11:18,19.   Also, it must be understood that Job's repentance would not
      guarantee that his life would be brighter than noonday[.]   (Never forget the importance
      of correct motives!)
    6. God does not guarantee His children lives of prosperity and good health.   God allows
      no exemptions from suffering and offers no explanations when it comes.   God has
      promised His own that He will be with us at all times.   Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5,6.   If
      through the times of adversity, testing, trial and suffering we can depend or lean
      wholly on Him, He will either lighten our load or He will strengthen us so we can
      bear it.
    7. God did not keep the three Hebrew children out of the fiery furnace, rather He got in
      with them.   Dan. 3:26,27.
    8. Are you prepared for the "if nots" of life?   Some will only serve God as long as He
      does as they expect.   This is a severe misunderstanding of the Bible.   Biblical faith
      keeps us from being so attached to what we want that if it doesn't happen, we will
      still trust God regardless.   Job 13:15; Dan. 3:18.
    9. God does not save us from adversity and suffering but does enter with us to sustain
      in those hours.   Rom. 8:38,39.   Nothing in time, space, or matter can separate us from
      God's love.   Think of the most horrible, horrendous, terrifying thing that could ever
      happen to you.   Even that cannot separate you from the love of God.   Ps. 139:7-10.

    56

  1. Job's Answer.   (12:1-14:22)

    1. Job answers Zophar's accusations with mockery.   Job 12:2.
    2. Job's friends had spoken condescendingly to Job.   It is arrogant to assume that we
      have all the answers and can explain why someone is suffering adversity.   Job 12:3.
      Zophar had reduced the working of the infinite God into the very simplistic
      explanation that every tragedy is manifested punishment for some sin.
    3. Job's friends all had superficial and simplistic answers to the problem of suffering and
      adversity.   However, Job thinks much deeper and makes a statement that all those
      who are suffering often think about.   Job 12:6.
    4. The reality of the apparent blessings on the sinful and ungodly is a fact that all must
      wrestle with at some point.   Acts 10:34; Matt. 5:45.
    5. God gives His blessings without respect to merit or morality.   Truly now let us
      recognize it, if they were based on merit or morality, no one would be worthy of
      them.   In what some have called "common grace," God is indiscriminate in His
      blessings.   His love and goodness benefits everyone, even those who are evil.   II Pet.
      1:3,4; Ps. 145:9.
    6. In chapter 12 Job makes it clear that the mystery of suffering is far more profound
      than his three friends have implied.   Job 12:13.   Job believed God was too big and
      too wise to be put into a box so He and His actions could be analyzed and explained.
    7. Job was very irritated at his friends and makes a statement that we should note if we
      are to comfort and help others when suffering.   Job 13:4.   The word forgers means
      "white washers."   His friends merely whitewashed Job's problems by offering shallow
      and traditional explanations which Job knew as well as they.   Job condemned his
      friends for trying to defend God deceitfully and using untruth to explain things they
      did not understand.   Job 13:7,8.   They had lied about the partiality of God and the
      charges they made against God.
    8. Job had weak moments yet his faith was sure and established.   Job 14:15.
    9. Job next addresses the brevity of life.   Job 14:1-6.   God wants all of us to consider
      the brevity of our lives and the fact that He already knows when we are going to die.
      Job 14:5.
    10. Job maintained his belief in the resurrection of the dead.   Job 14:12.   He even
      referred to the death of the body as sleep, as did Jesus when referring to the death of
      Lazarus.   John 11:11.
    11. Death may come in one of two ways.   Job 14:18,19.   In other words, it may be
      sudden, as an earthquake may suddenly move part of a mountain and cause it to
      crumble, or death may come slowly or gradually, as water wears stones.
    12. Job still could not sort out the calamities that had struck him and he pleads for
      release from his suffering.   Job 14:20-22.
    13. When the three young Hebrews went through the fiery furnace, the only thing burned
      were their bonds.   The fiery experience we are going through, or will go through, will
      be used to unbind us.   God can take the fire of adversity and use it to rid our lives of
      those things that hinder and keep us from being everything we ought to be for Him.
      When adversity comes and life doesn't seem fair, remembering this fact may help to
      turn our "confusion into celebration."

57

Go to [Next Section]