Zophar’s Second Speech
January 2, 2020
Commentary
Zophar is the last man to speak in this round. I suppose today we would say that Zophar has the scientific mind. He thinks you pour life into the test tube and it will always come out a certain way. Ignoring Job’s plea for pity, Zophar merely reacts against what he considers to be personal insults by Job (vv. 1-3). He then launches into another discourse on the supposed prosperity of the wicked. He argued that from the beginning of human history any joy experienced by a sinner is brief (vv. 4-5). His stature, be it ever so lofty, has nothing to do with the outcome (v. 6) If he is wicked, he will perish, never to be seen again (vv. 7-9). Repeatedly, Zophar mentions wealth (vv. 1, 15, 18, 20-22, 26) and how it is very temporary. He seems to suggest that Job acquired his riches dishonestly (v. 10). A wealthy man, if wicked will find that his energy will be buried with him. He goes on to say that a sinner may enjoy wealth gained in sin, but like sour food he will lose it (vv. 11-15).
In fact, he says that wealth becomes like poisonous snake venom (v. 16) which has bitter consequences. He will not survive long enough to look upon the plenty for which he labored (v. 17) and if he does he can not hold on to it (v. 18). It is the fruit of oppression and violence and is destined to be lost (v. 19). The less the wicked enjoy, the more they have to sin in order to recapture the old thrills and the more they destroy their ability to enjoy anything. Their death is painful (vv. 20-29). Wicked men will never be able to satisfy their greed (v. 20). They will devour the weak, until there are none to devour. and that will end their prosperity (v. 21). Although nothing could escape his greed, he will be reduced to poverty (vv. 22-23). The evil man will try to run away, but God will come at him with a sword and shoot at him with a bronze-tipped arrow that will pierce him (vv. 24-25). Then fire falls around him and a flood catches up with him which destroys everything (vv. 26-28). This is what God has assigned to those who live in sin (v. 29).
Application
Although Zophar was wrong in directing false accusations against Job, he was correct in talking about the final end of evil people. At first sin may seem enjoyable and attractive and brings temporary gain but if I continue to practice it, God’s justice will prevail. God’s judgment is certain.
Job 20:1– 29 (NET)
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 “This is why my troubled thoughts bring me back — because of my feelings within me.
3 When I hear a reproof that dishonors me, then my understanding prompts me to answer.
4 “Surely you know that it has been from old, ever since humankind was placed on the earth,
5 that the elation of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.
6 Even though his stature reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds,
7 he will perish forever, like his own excrement; those who used to see him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8 Like a dream he flies away, never again to be found, and like a vision of the night he is put to flight.
9 People who had seen him will not see him again, and the place where he was will recognize him no longer.
10 His sons must recompense the poor; his own hands must return his wealth.
11 His bones were full of his youthful vigor, but that vigor will lie down with him in the dust.
12 “If evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue,
13 if he retains it for himself and does not let it go, and holds it fast in his mouth,
14 his food is turned sour in his stomach; it becomes the venom of serpents within him.
15 The wealth that he consumed he vomits up, God will make him throw it out of his stomach.
16 He sucks the poison of serpents; the fangs of a viper kill him.
17 He will not look on the streams, the rivers that are the torrents of honey and butter.
18 He gives back the ill-gotten gain without assimilating it; he will not enjoy the wealth from his commerce.
19 For he has oppressed the poor and abandoned them; he has seized a house which he did not build.
20 For he knows no satisfaction in his appetite; he does not let anything he desires escape.
21 “Nothing is left for him to devour; that is why his prosperity does not last.
22 In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress overtakes him. The full force of misery will come upon him.
23 “While he is filling his belly, God sends his burning anger against him, and rains down his blows upon him.
24 If he flees from an iron weapon, then an arrow from a bronze bow pierces him.
25 When he pulls it out and it comes out of his back, the gleaming point out of his liver, terrors come over him.
26 Total darkness waits to receive his treasures; a fire that has not been kindled will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.
27 The heavens reveal his iniquity; the earth rises up against him.
28 A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God’s wrath.
29 Such is the lot God allots the wicked, and the heritage of his appointment from God.”
Illustration: What Does it Mean to Be Rich
The Rich Young Ruler obviously made a wrong choice, but think about this. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not ride in a car. have any surgery, turn on a light, buy penicillin, hear a pipe organ, watch TV, wash dishes in running water, type a letter, fly in an airplane, sleep on an inner spring mattress, or talk on the phone, If he was rich, then what am I? (Source unknown).