12:7 But ask now the beasts, {e} and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:(e) He declares to them that disputed against him, that their wisdom is common to all, and such as the very brute beasts teach daily. read more
JOB EMPHASISES GOD'S GREATNESS AND WISDOM (vv.1-25) Job's reply to Zophar was understandably sarcastic, "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!" (v.2). Zophar had implied that he had intuitive wisdom such as Job lacked, and Job rightly reproved him in saying, "But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you" (v.3). In fact, Zophar had said only what was common knowledge: everyone knew these things. Job felt the pathos of being mocked by his friends,... read more
FIRST SERIES OF THE DEBATE The first series of the debate may be outlined as follows: 1. With Eliphaz (chaps. 4-7) a. Speech of Eliphaz (chaps. 4-5) b. Reply of (chaps. 6-7) 2. With Bildad (chaps. 8-10) a. Speech of Bildad (chap. 8) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 9-10) 3. With Zophar (chaps. 11-14) a. Speech of Zophar (chap. 11) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 12-14) It is thought the debate may have occupied several days, by which supposition some of the difficulties of the book are removed. In the... read more
Job's Reply to His Three Friends. V. Job 12-14 Now that the case in some measure of completeness is before us, we may profitably consider the history on a larger scale than its merely personal aspect. We have elements enough, in these fourteen chapters, for the construction of a world. We have the good man; the spirit of evil; the whole story of affliction and loss, pain and fear; and we have three comforters, coming from various points, with hardly various messages to be addressed to a... read more
"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "... the soul of every living thing? Job 12:10 Observe, not only "every living thing," but actually the soul of it. There is great meaning in this expression; it shows that we do not see the life in its innermost recesses and springs, but only some appearance or shape of it from the outside. We have often said that no man has seen himself: the man is within the man; the life is within the life. This rule holds good with regard to everything round about... read more
(1) ¶ And Job answered and said, (2) No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. (3) But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? (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. (5) He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. (6) ¶ The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they... read more
6-11 Job appeals to facts. The most audacious robbers, oppressors, and impious wretches, often prosper. Yet this is not by fortune or chance; the Lord orders these things. Worldly prosperity is of small value in his sight: he has better things for his children. Job resolves all into the absolute proprietorship which God has in all the creatures. He demands from his friends liberty to judge of what they had said; he appeals to any fair judgment. read more
God's Government of the World v. 7. But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, every man can learn from them what Job very well knew, the majesty of God in the government of the world; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; v. 8. or speak to the earth, addressing it for information, and it shall teach thee, and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. All nature unites in declaring the greatness of God. v. 9. Who knoweth not in all these, gaining his... read more
B.—Job’s Reply: Attack upon his friends, whose wisdom and justice he earnestly questions:Job 12-141. Ridicule of the assumed wisdom of the friends, who can give only a very unsatisfactory de scription of the exalted power and wisdom of the Divine activity:Job 12:01 And Job answered and said,2 No doubt but ye are the people,and wisdom shall die with you.3 But I have understanding as well as you;I am not inferior to you;yea, who knoweth not such things as these?4 I am as one... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 12:1-25
CHAPTERS 12-14 Job’s Answer to Zophar 1. His sarcasm (Job 12:1-6 ) 2. He describes God’s power (Job 12:7-25 ) 3. He denounces his friends (Job 13:1-13 ) 4. He appeals to God (Job 13:14-28 ) 5. The brevity and trouble of life (Job 14:1-6 ) 6. The ray of light through hope of immortality (Job 14:7-22 ) Job 12:1-6 . He answers not only Zophar but the others as well. Before this Job had expressed his disappointment in them, rebuked them for their unkindness, and assailed as worthless... read more