Who Has Wisdom? - Chapter #12
Job 12:1-25
Job speaks again. Zophar has concluded his remarks – so it is Job’s turn to answer.
1 Then Job answered and said: 2 "No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you! 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these? Job 12:1-3 (NKJV)
JOB’S EQUALITY WITH HIS ACCUSERS
In verse two Job is using irony. The purpose of such language is to ridicule. “You surely have all wisdom and when you die who will be left to instruct us?” "I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live.” Job 12:2 (MSG) In one quick statement he dispels this argument. “But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who doesn’t know the things you are talking about?” Job 12:3 (HCSB)
Nelson’s Bible Commentary says, “What bold, delicious sarcasm this is! The two personal pronouns you are plural in Hebrew, indicating that Job responds to all three friends who concur that he is guilty and needs to confess his sin. ”
There are three parts to Job’s argument.
1. I have a brain just like you.
2. I know as much as you do.
3. Anyone can see the things you are telling me. It doesn’t take an expert to understand these things.
I am an expert of one thing – me. I know when I don’t feel well physically. I have gone to the doctor and he can find nothing wrong yet I know I still don’t feel well. He may be an expert of the human body – knowing how all the physical parts are to function – but I question whether he is an expert of “my” body. I have lived in this “tent” for over fifty years – and I know when it is feeling well and when it is not.
There is a great difference with the doctor of my physical body and the doctor of my spiritual body. The One who made me inside and out, He knows if I am healthy inside and out. He knows what the problem is – I do too. There are sins we hide from each other – because we can! We can not hide them from God. He knows what we have done. He knows what haunts us in the night. He knows what secrets we try to hide in our closets. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:23 (HCSB) He loves us just the same. He knows the cure. He is the cure! Thank God for His salvation! Thank God for His grace. Thank God for His mercy.
4 "I am one mocked by his friends, Who called on God, and He answered him, The just
and blameless who is ridiculed.
JOB MOCKED BY HIS FRIENDS
In chapter eleven Zophar insinuates that Job is stupid. “But a stupid man will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a man!” Job 11:12 (HCSB) There has never been a time when a donkey was born of a man – this goes against the order that God has established – everything gives birth “after it’s kind – but there was a time when a donkey spoke wisdom to man. (Numbers 22)
When Job’s friends come to him they said they were coming to help him. In fellowship we are here to encourage one another – not to “Lord it over” one another. You do not need to tell me my sins – I know them better then you. I hope you will come with words of encouragement to get me back on the right path. “Lord let me help those who are around me – but let me do it with all humility.”
In this verse Job describes himself. Two negatives: Mocked and ridiculed. But notice who is doing the mocking and the ridiculing – “his friends”. No wonder it has been said – “with friends like this who needs enemies”. Three positives are also mentioned: Called on God, just and blameless. Notice the results – “God answered”.
All of us should examine ourselves and see where we stand with God. Our friends may mock and ridicule us – but it is God who will be the final judge – let us please Him above all others.
In verse four Job claims his innocence. He also tells them that they are mocking him – even though they say they are his “friend”. “I am a laughingstock to my friends, by calling on God, who answers me. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.” Job 12:4 (HCSB) The Message Bible says it this way: "I’m ridiculed by my friends: ’So that’s the man who had conversations with God!’ Ridiculed without mercy: ’Look at the man who never did wrong!’ Job 12:4 (MSG) Some times the biggest criticism comes from other believers. They say they are on our side – yet when we try to take God’s word seriously – they tell us we have gone too far. There will be name calling – comments behind our backs – and sometimes in front of our face. The closer you get to Jesus the more ridicule there will be.
5 A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease; It is made ready for those whose feet slip. 6 The tents of robbers prosper, And those who provoke God are secure-- In what God provides by His hand. Job 12:5-6 (NKJV)
JOB’S ARGUMENT
In verses five and six Job seems to be putting his “friends” in their place. He gives two illustrations:
1. When a man thinks he is secure and has sure footing – he gives no thought that disaster may be just outside the door. Who needs a flashlight when it is daylight? When we sit in our houses and have the lights on – who considers in the next moment there could be a blackout? When it happens we scramble to find the candles.
2. The home of robbers may seem secure for a time. They have taken wealth that does not belong to them – yet they give no though of it. Implied: “Do you think they are going to live this way forever? Do you think God does not notice? Job’s argument in verse 6 could be stated: If all afflictions are in punishment for sin, then how does it come that men who are known to be sinners are prosperous?
Security is an illusion unless it is security in God.
7 "But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. 9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, 10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? 11 Does not the ear test words And the mouth taste its food? 12 Wisdom is with aged men, And with length of days, understanding. Job 12:7-12 (NKJV)
WHO HAS WISDOM?
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Commentary says; “The pronoun you (v. 7) is singular that may indicate that Job now addresses Zophar (who had compared him to a “wild donkey”) to emphasize that even the dumb animals instinctively understand that the hand of the Lord (Heb. Yahweh) is responsible for calamities.”
Job says four areas where we can search for wisdom.
1. Animals and fish.
2. The earth itself.
3. Your own senses.
4. The elders.
Job says that even the animals have more wisdom than some people do. “But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; [ask] the birds of the sky, and they will tell you…. let the fish of the sea inform you. “Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10 (HCSB)
13 "With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding. 14 If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; If He imprisons a man, there can be no release. 15 If He withholds the waters, they dry up; If He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth. 16 With Him are strength and prudence. The deceived and the deceiver are His. 17 He leads counselors away plundered, And makes fools of the judges. 18 He loosens the bonds of kings, And binds their waist with a belt. 19 He leads princes away plundered, And overthrows the mighty. 20 He deprives the trusted ones of speech, And takes away the discernment of the elders. 21 He pours contempt on princes, And disarms the mighty. 22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings the shadow of death to light. 23 He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them. 24 He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, And makes them wander in a pathless wilderness. 25 They grope in the dark without light, And He makes them stagger like a drunken man. Job 12:13-25 (NKJV)
GOD’S WISDOM AND STRENGTH
When we have lost everything – when we are full of disease – when our friends critize us – we should do what Job did – focus on God.
Job points to the wisdom of God – and how powerful He is.
1. If He tears a thing apart – it can not be rebuilt.
2. If He captures a man – he can not be released.
3. If He holds back water – it will dry up.
4. If He sends water it – it will over flow the earth.
5. Wisdom and power belong to Him – all must answer to Him.
6. He is wiser then the wise – He can make even wise men look like fools.
7. Those who think they have power He can make lowly.
8. He stripes religious leaders of their robes and office.
9. He takes away the ability to speak and wisdom that has been gathered over the years.
10. He will put to shame those who think they are mighty, pure and powerful.
11. He will expose even the darkest corners of everyone’s life.
12. He makes nations great – or will bring them low.
13. He can take away understanding to that people stumble all over themselves.
14. He is the light – without Him there is nothing but darkness.
He is who He is all powerful and almighty. Who can stand before Him? Who thinks that their knees will not bend? Who thinks that they will not be humbled in His presence? “Every knee will bend and tongue will confess” – there is no exception. No matter your status – prepare to meet the King of kings.
The last two verses of this passage Job points to the blindness of men. “He robs world leaders of their reason, and sends them off into no man’s land. They grope in the dark without a clue, lurching and staggering like drunks.” Job 12:24-25 (MSG) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (HCSB)
