Job 20
Zophar rejoins the argument and says, I hear censure that insults me. Interesting. Interesting that he heard censure, because in what follows there is no evidence that he has heard Job at all. And interesting that he feels insulted. Yes, he has been sharply criticized and rebuked by Job, so he most definitely should hear censure. And yes, perhaps he does not feel that he deserves that criticism and so feels insulted. But if there is anyone around that has actually been insulted, it is Job (and God), not Zophar.
Zophar goes on for the rest of his speech to reiterate how the wicked fail miserably. Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth, that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? (vv. 4-5) From an eternal perspective, allowing for Hell, this statement is quite true. Even the longest life, lived in luxury and prosperity, looks brief and unprofitable when an eternity in Hell is factored in. But Zophar does not have Hell in mind. He is looking at this life with only death (common to both good and bad alike) at the end. Hence, one could just as well substitute “righteous” for “wicked” and “godly” for “godless” in verse 5 and read all of Job 20:4-11 as applying to the righteous — a perspective we shall see, to some extent, in Ecclesiastes.
But let’s look at the rest of the chapter, Job 20:12-29. Here Zophar describes how the wicked get no lasting enjoyment out of their deeds and ultimately face a bitter end. As with Eliphaz and Bildad, we can readily see that real life does not always (or even generally) work out as Zophar describes. And we know that Zophar is not just speaking abstractly about “the wicked” but has Job directly in mind as a targeted example, and in that he is wildly wrong. Nevertheless, he says some things that bear thinking about:
- Job 20:12-14 — Though evil is sweet in his mouth, … yet his food is turned in his stomach.
- Perhaps this speaks of the conscience. One might relish some sin, but then the conscience is troubled and there is no lasting enjoyment or peace.
- Job 20:18 — He will give back the fruit of his toil and will not swallow it down; from the profit of his trading he will get no enjoyment.
- Zophar appears here to acknowledge that the wicked see some “fruit” and “profit”, at least temporarily.
- Again, though, a troubled conscience prevents lasting enjoyment.
- Job 20:19 — For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build.
- Zophar is not envisioning some abstract “bad thoughts and attitudes” kind of wickedness, but real oppression of the poor.
- Treatment of the poor is likewise very much on God’s mind. (Isa. 3:14,15; 58:6-7)
- Directing this comment against Job, though, is exceptionally cruel.
- Job 20:20 — Because he knew no contentment in his belly, he will not let anything in which he delights escape him.
- The trouble with evil appetites are that they are never satisfied, and “enough” never comes.
Those are just a few verses. What stands out to you? How is Zophar on target? How is he off target?
I’m a big picture type…what does it say, what does it mean, and what does it mean to me? I read Zophar’s response this morning. To me, Genesis to Esther is somewhat linear…do good and all goes well…don’t and it won’t. Then we come to Job who had been really good, but all doesn’t go well. I’m identifying, and heaven is looking good!
As I read Job 20 earlier today, I found little content with which I could fully agree with Zophar. Verse 19 was the only verse that stood out as “truth”, with Zophar speaking of “the wicked”: For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build. Here Job would agree with Zophar. We know from Job 1 that Job did not gain his wealth by ripping off the poor. In Job 1:8 God Himself said to Satan, “For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” As John notes, God despises that behavior! He loves us all, but He seems to have even a special love for the poor and downtrodden. Thankfully we will not hear from Zophar again!!