09. Friend Zophar

Friend Zophar

Job’s friend, Zophar, now speaks (Job 11:1-20). He brings out the majesty of God; but it is only to crush Job. He sees that Job is wrong in seeking to be clean in his own eyes; and in his zeal he says, ’Oh, that God would speak, and open his lips against thee!’ But it is not with him to show Job how he can possibly be a sinner, and yet be justified. He can tell that if Job were not a sinner, then it would be most blessed with him; and that is all that Zophar, or mere human light, can do. This is human religion. I must try not to be a sinner, and then I shall be happy, and God will not be against me. Vain endeavour still, you find it, do you not? You are a sinner. How then can you stand before a holy Judge? There is the difficulty.

Job again makes his reply. He, too, can discourse well on the majesty of God in all his ways. But this cannot settle the question, How can a man that is a sinner be just before God? A man may be able to discourse well about the stars and the stones — he may be learned in all the learning of this world — and yet not be able to tell clearly how the sinner is justified before God. The dreadful thought still harassed Job, that God was against him. Oh! what can be so overwhelming as this fearful thought? To whom can you go if God be against you? The sun may shine; but it is not for you. You may try to flee from sin, but Satan pursues you, pressing it harder upon you.