Podcast 26, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 12”

We have heard the painful criticism of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zohar. They have been harsh in insisting that Job has brought upon himself his troubles. That is three against one. It is unfair considering Job’s weakened state. But in the way of argument, I place my money on Job. 

 The friends are arguing from a standpoint of prejudice, ignorance, arrogance, pride, and false traditions. Job has truth and God on his side.  Job teaches his friends correct doctrine. 

 From Job’s friends, we learn that we should not be like them. Their views are false. They are a model of why it is wicked to hastily judge others. Their views are full of self-righteousness, self-deceit, and pride. They feel superior to Job. That accounts for Job’s wonderful introduction.

Job 12:1-3

“And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

There are two things going on at once. In another context, for example, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar might be correct. People can bring upon themselves trials through their own bad behavior. 

The message of Job is that one cannot assume that another’s suffering is because of sin. Their job is not to judge, but to show pity.

Job declares that he understands that as well as they do. Job is not inferior one whit to them. That assertion puts them in their proper place because his arrogant friends believe that they are far superior to Job. They think they are more righteous than Job. To them their righteousness is validated by the fact that do not suffer as Job suffers. They live in a black and white world. They assume that Job’s suffering is because of some hidden sins. But Job asserts that their wisdom will die with them. That is because they are teaching the philosophies of man, not of God. In the present context, they are wrong because Job is righteous, more righteous than they are. In Chapters 12, 13, & 14, Job instructs them as well as all of us on how to act when life becomes unfair and seemingly unbearable. 

The genius of Job is in how he maintains a good relationship with God through his trials. Job knows that he is not being tried for his sins, but he also knows that God could have prevented his suffering, yet rather than blame God, Job comes to a greater understanding of God through his suffering. That means that his suffering is not in vain. All of us need to comprehend what Job comprehends, that God’s ways are best. Many have turned against God because life became too unbearable. Job grows stronger because of his trials.

Job chastises his friends for mocking him unrighteously.

Job 12:4

“I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.” 

Job compares his friends to a person who, because they refuse to use the lantern, are about to slip and fall.

Job 12:5

“He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.”

In other words, his friends refuse to use the light of truth. Instead, they rely upon their own wisdom. It is they, not Job, who is about to slip and fall. The last time I slipped and fell, I broke my hip and became crippled for weeks. Their fall appears to take on a more permanent appearance. 

Job teaches another principle.

Job 12:6

“The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.”

In our world often evil is rewarded and good is punished. Much of the wealth of the world is based on bribery. That destroys their philosophy that bad things only happen to bad people and good things only happen to good people.