Job 11 Guard Against Condemnation

Zophar finally has his say, having waited on his two friends. Keep in mind as you read Eliphaz, Bildad and now Zophar; they all came to “comfort” Job, even having sat with him for the traditional seven days of mourning.
Of the three comforters, up to this point in our narrative, we observe that Zophar is without a doubt the most condemning of the three. He comes across as heartless and as a minister of condemnation rather than comfort or hope. He initially refers to Job as man of “the multitude of words” that need to be answered; which he has the answer. There’s not just “hidden” sin in this man’s life, but there is sin that is apparent and not dealt with, being ignored.

He accuses Job of a false position, declaring his “doctrine is pure” and that he was “clean in your eyes” (referring to God). As though he’s heard enough from Job, he too pleads with God to speak and thereby shut Job’s mouth from such prideful thoughts. He feels that what has happened to Job thus far is less that he deserved because his “iniquity” (vs. 6) requires more.

Job was unable to know the scope of God’s knowledge and love, etc.; it was deeper than hell itself, longer than the earth and wider than the sea. He “imprisons, and gathers to judgment” which Job seems (from Zophar’s perspective) beyond as a result of his self-declared righteous. He basically says Job is an “empty-headed man” that thinks he’s like an animal; born to be free.

Here’s Zophar’s “answer” to Job’s dilemma. First prepare his heart (speaking of repentance) and then lift up his hands to God (a symbol of prayer). In such a state, thorough repentance would be realized and he’d be more zealous to not permit wickedness to come hear his dwelling.

If he would do these things, Job would receive unprecedented prosperity.

Zophar came from a similar faulty position as did his other two “comforters”; that of assuming that God was the author of all these woes. However as we stated earlier it was Satan who came against Job, but didn’t understand why.
When we condemn people; we set ourselves up as judge and jury, along with being the one who brings the charge. Guard against condemnation and be righteous before the Lord always and then pray for the one under siege by the enemy.