Here’s a question: Can anything good come out of the mouths of Job’s friends? I don’t know about you, but I occasionally find myself thinking (dismissively), “Yes, but one of Job’s friends said that.” The subtext is that we can safely skim over what they said and then move on. The three friends, however, had some extraordinarily good theology; it just happens to have been misapplied.
The three “friends,” “comforters,” or whatever we label those well-meaning fellows, arrived from afar in order to weep, mourn, and sit silently with Job. Their intentions were noble—until they started to speak! After they sat silently with Job for a whole week, Job set them back on their heels with a deeply troubling lament. In response, the first two friends tried to cajole Job into confession and repentance, but he would have none of it. His response was to ask why God was so cruelly oppressing him, which had left him longing for the darkness of the grave.
What do we say in response to that kind of raw pain? When we find ourselves in such circumstances, we stumble about, trying to be “meaningful” in our comforting. Toward that same end, Zophar ventured in, declaring that God is utterly transcendent and all-powerful beyond the highest heaven and the depths of the grave. This is true, but a gnawing question remains: how can we really wrap our minds (and hearts) around this majestic, sovereign transcendence of God? And then how do we talk about it, especially when we are face to face with seemingly interminable agony? How can we assure suffering friends that our God is both exalted far above all earthly powers and, at the same time, relentlessly and intimately loving? What comfort lies in that combination?
Zophar’s next words head down the path we so often take. Having professed the mystery of God’s ways, Zophar proceeded to speak for God, promising an array of hopeful results—if Job would just confess his sins!
It is no wonder Job was unimpressed. At the same time, he picked up on the most important part of what Zophar said and fleshed out his own perspective on it. Job indeed knew that nothing in God’s universe was outside God’s control, but he had come to know the dark side of that—devastation of land, degradation of the rich and powerful, whole nations destroyed and dispersed. The upshot for Job was that God was responsible for his suffering in that He allowed it. This is bold honesty. And that is where we need to be, frightening as it might actually be to say (and hear) these things. But we must remember that in the end, God affirmed what Job had said (Job 42:7–8). May that be a profound encouragement to us as we wrestle with how to express the truth of suffering.
Elaine A. Phillips received a BA in social psychology from Cornell University, an MDiv from Biblical Theological Seminary, and an MA in Hebrew from the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, where she and her husband, Perry, studied and taught from 1976–79. She holds a PhD in rabbinic literature, and teaches Biblical Studies at Gordon College. She also serves as a historical geography field instructor for Jerusalem University College. She has published a commentary on Esther in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; a devotional book, With God, Nothing Is Impossible; and, most recently, An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts.
Leave a Reply
68 thoughts on "Zophar’s First Speech and Job’s Reply"
This has been really helpful in my understanding of Job. I am now seeing that he has been asking this sane honest questions about suffering as I have. Or more that I am asking the same as him. We lost our baby last June. And it has been the 2nd most difficult and painful things I have ever walked through ( 1st being the death of my unbelieving father at 16). In both cases I have had to wrestle, painfully? Through deep questions and Why. 12:16, “with him are strength and sound wisdom.” I have to remind myself that we get to see Gods whole story for Job and God knows my whole story. He will not leave me in my suffering. He has a bigger purpose. If I can never have biological children…is God still faithful?
God allows us suffering in that we will persevere and gain wisdom from suffering as we launch deeper into trusting him. There is purpose in pain and there is love in longing. God doesn’t bring us so far just to leave us there. He will deliver us from suffering on this side of eternity or another, and that’s a tough side of that truth. We may know the purpose of our suffering on this side of heaven, but we also may not know until we meet face to face with Jesus one day. Either way, God does not abandon us in our hurt.
“We stumble about, trying to be meaningful in our comforting” – How many times have I looked at the face of suffering, in light of the sovereignty of God, and totally misapplied the truth?! A good reminder to prayerfully take that step back.
I think that the hardest part for Job was knowing the God had control of absolutely everything. He has control of this suffering that Job was going through. This pains him because he knows that the Lord was causing him to go through this. It is important to know that the Lord will never leave us in the darkness. He will bring and storm to our life and then our world upside down but there will always be a rainbow at the end. The problem is that to get to that end goal, to the light at the end, our faith must be tested.
I struggle with suffering in life being viewed as a form of blessing. I think God allows the brokenness of the world. However, I feel so much emotional pain in suffering, and I don’t want it to continue. I would rather not “grow”, as is often suggested. I think references to suffering being a blessing (in the NT) are in relation to suffering for being Christians. I have few answers just now, and many questions, but I’m feeling an affinity with Job.
I am comforted by the fact that I will never know the fullness of God while in my time on Earth, but that He encompasses all things. Situations, people, and words where it feels as though He can not possibly have a hand in, He sees it and allows it to His will. Thank you God for your soveirgnty and removing the pressure that we must earn your love, grace, and attention-because I know I would never be enough!
I have a question, for those if you who bye the scripture cards, how do you use them?
My sin has been the cause of my suffering over the last few years and now that God has worked into my life and stripped it away, I’m in a MUCH better place then before. However when I was in the midst, it was painful and I was mad at God. I want to learn to trust like Job did!
I do not want to believe that I am responsible for my own healing or someone else’s healing based on my faith or lack thereof. That, in my opinion, would be a depressing way to live. I much rather believe in the healing power of my Lord and Savior. That if He wills it to be, it will be so. I can pray and ask, but ultimately, it is His will and in His control to do what He sees best. Hard to see no healing or something I want come to fruition, absolutely. But better to know and believe it is what is best according to God’s plan, than because of my faith.
I’m seeing the book of Job in a whole other light. Rather than only seeing it as a graceful way to handle our own suffering, the Lord has been showing me how to (or not to) respond to suffering in friends or others around me. Although, I find this text to be deeper than my brain can go, I’m enjoying this different perspective. There are so many hurting around me, I’m praying that I can be someone who never lets others walk the road of suffering alone, just as others have done for me in my times of struggle.
The section on Romans was applicable to me – as I was insulted to my face by my coworker and friend today. In the moment, I was so shocked, that I did and said nothing and just finished the conversation.
I had no idea what to do or if it should be addressed, and if so – at work or elsewhere?
Well, hello Romans 2:23.
When he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges greatly.
God’s hand had to be there today. He is opening up my heart toward this person who is not a believer, to pray for her in a way I have never done. I’m learning compassion instead of the human response of retaliation or judgement. Perhaps I’m (for once) sowing seeds for her future salvation. God only knows – I sure don’t. But, I’m thankful for how it happened.
As I’ve been reading Job, I keep thinking back to Philippians 1:6 and although sometimes it’s difficult to understand at the time, our suffering is preparing us for heaven. God has begun good works in us and will continue to carry them through. We will always be surrounded by people who will offer their opinions and that’s why it’s so important we keep in prayer with God and trust our faith. The support of others is important, but our relationship with God is crucial.
“Our suffering is preparing us for Heaven.” YES! God is currently using two different situations with my kids to prepare me for Heaven. It’s hard to go through, but when I really think about it, these trials are custom tailored for me to make me more like Jesus. How kind is my Father to use bad for my good. He does not waste our pain! One of these trials is learning to let go of control and trust God. My four-year-old, Daniel has chronic kidney disease. We do not know if/when he will need a transplant. Please pray that I continue to trust God for Daniel’s healing and with his life.
Kathy, I know exactly what you’re going through. This summer my cousin’s baby was diagnosed with trisomy 18. So much prayer. So many things so many of us heard God speak. I believed. I was invested. I believe God heals. That’s what Jesus did every time someone came to him. That’s what I read in my bible. So when baby Violet was born, lived, and died i didn’t know where to go. In the end, I don’t understand. I can’t. But I do know that God is good. I do know/believe he heals. It took a LOT of wrestling but I refuse to write my theology based on my experiences if they don’t line up to the bible. And this, in my estimation did/does not. So I believe and it kinda makes the losses harder. But I will keep believing. And it’s true, God totally uses the things satan or the fallen world, our poor choices, whatever brings us – he uses it for good. But I don’t believe he authors the bad stuff. Praying for a very different outcome with baby Mary. And in the event it isn’t a different outcome, praying that God binds up your hearts. That he pours out love. That his arms wrap around each broken, not understanding heart, and that he makes beauty from ashes.
So powerful. I am so quick to want to “fix it” and offer meaning when I speak to hurting hearts. But the meaning isn’t really mine to give and even good theology and intentions can’t stop us from misunderstanding or wrongly applying what God is doing. His ways are high and can’t always neatly be put in a box and explained. I need to do more sitting and praying and just quietly being with hurting hearts. Less speaking or trying to understand it.
I’ve been following some of the SRT community uploads over the past two years. In all honesty I’ve been on and off, but something told me you’ve GOT to read this years lent program. When I saw that Job was going to be the book that was going to be studied I got excited, but I don’t think I realized how deep it was going to get and how much I needed it. Through all my life I’ve been struggling with some childhood traumatic events and generational sins which at times would torment me and not give me peace. I’ve struggles and suffered and felt it’s intensity both on a physical and mental level. I’ve talked about it with God, questioned Him and even walked away from Him because my mind could just not comprehend why He would let that happen to me, what could have I possible done to deserve all that pain? But as I read through this study I’ve realized many things and the most important one is that God is ALWAYS in control. I did not understand, I still don’t and maybe I never will because as a human being I cannot see the bigger picture, but He does and I trust Him. I know that somehow my suffering and struggles are part of something bigger, something that someday might influence others or even myself into wanting to know more about Jesus Crist. Thank you for these devotionals, they have truly set me free.
I just finished that Elisabeth Eliot book too. It and this devotional has been spot on what I needed to hear in this season. Hard, but good solid truths that are helping me navigate this season, cling to and encourage me to keep the faith.
I also just started It Wasn’t Supposed To Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst. A friend sent it to me out of the blue. I’m a few chapters in and I heartily recommend it.
There always is a plan, we may not get to know it here on earth but there is a plan. Our God is good always.
This is a response to Melody:
God is perfect–perfect love, perfect kindness, perfect justice (and so much more). Being so, he detests sin.
In the case of Job, He is allowing Satan to destroy the already temporal things in Job’s life in order to test Job’s faith to the Lord. God does allow “bad things” to happen to believers because it reminds us how much we truly need Him and cannot rely on ourselves. He gets the glory when we go through hardship and are strengthed by Him.
Satan is not (nor will he ever be) more powerful than God. Jesus has already defeated him!
Beautiful, thanks! Not sure if this is to me or another Melody but I appreciate it. :)
“Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7) I cannot always make sense of God’s ways. 5 years ago I was teaching at a Christian university. We were so excited because God had provided a new faculty member who had exactly the mix of skills and experience that we desperately needed. She taught with us for 6 months. We loved her! And then, very unexpectedly, she died. We ate lunch together at noon. And at 6p I got a call saying she had died. I struggled so much with that. I turned away from God completely for 4.5 years. Not just because of her. But it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Through so much grace and mercy, God led me back to Himself this past October. I still don’t understand His ways. I never will. But I’ve had to struggle and read and pray and learn to trust. He is God. I am not. I desperately need Him. Every moment of every day. ❤️
I have been afraid for a long time. But in the mist of it I know God is with me. I just know it. I have no doubt. The last part of Elaine’s devotion was hard to read but so true. It’s so hard for me to cry sometimes because my tears were shut down and told not to cry. This brought me to tears. I know this journey that I’m on God is allowing it. “But God” as Tina often says. But God. He is faithful. He will always be faithful. I believe Him, and I know someday all this will be bring glory to HIM. I know one thing for sure. I am stronger. And it’s all because of my God.
In the face of raw pain and suffering, silence truly is golden. The best comfort is sometimes just to weep with those who weep and to lend a listening ear as they vent. We do not need, especially in the early onslaught, to provide answers or solutions. Answers and solutions are not necessarily ours to give. Comfort is. And sometimes that is best given with our mouths shut and our ears open.
Love this!
Oh, if only more people realized this.
Yes
❤️
Yesterday our pastor concluded his sermon with, “God is always trying to get our attention. Either to accept His gift of salvation or to deepen our trust in Him.”
God knows us more intimately than anyone, even more than we know ourselves. He knows what it will take to get us to turn to Him, to trust Him more deeply. And let’s face it, often it is suffering.
Love this! A good perspective that made me think.
The last few lines of the commentary are spot on. I need to remember this daily. God is ALWAYS in control.
In case anyone reads my earlier comment and wonders what in the world it was talking about—it was supposed to be in reply to the comment from Churchmouse, not to the devotional itself! It seems that the reply to comment function was not working properly.
Job 12:10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
God is in control. I often try to control things in my life. While I pray and put it before God to bless, it is only when I relinquish control that I am fully at peace knowing everything happening in my life, is for good and for God’s glory.
That is an interesting theology and one that would seem to need much explaining away in order to stand, would it not? I can understand saying that God is not the instigator of hardship—which is what I would believe in short. But he does allow hardship and suffering in order to grow us. And I believe that much of the brokeness in the world is just a natural result of sin being in the world—not a direct attack from Satan.
Isn’t there a verse that says that God disciplines those He loves?
If God does not allow bad things, would that not also mean that Satan has more power than Him?
Satan is also not omnipresent and therefore cannot be the origin of all brokeness and sin in the world right?
I don’t know if these thoughts helped at all. I don’t know what else to say other than to study the scripture and ask that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak.
Needed your comment today, Terrisa. Thank you!
Struggling as i read this… i know God is God and he is always in control. Of the good, the bad, the joy and the pain. And i do trust him, but i am tired of the pain and emotional loss of love. god opens and closes doors. I am praying today for his sovereignty and unending grace to walk me through this trying time.
Jaime, praying for you!
This is very real to me right now. I am going to the hospital to see a former student that was in a really bad accident. He will have a long road ahead. I pray that I can comfort them and give them the hope of Jesus in this tough time. My heart hurts for them.
Praying for you, that God would give you the words to say and courage to be his hands and feet, his light and love to this student and their family. Also praying for wholistic recovery for those involved in this accident.
To be honest, I’ve never really experienced great suffering. Not like Job, or like so many people I’ve met over the years, or like so many of you beautiful women. I was hesitant to start this devotional – “I don’t need this because I haven’t dealt with this kind of pain.” Plus, I admit that there is part if me that fears when it will be my turn to suffer, and ignorance can feel like bliss. But I am so grateful for this study. I am learning how to be a better comforter in times of distress. How it’s ok – healthy even – to cry out to God in anguish, rather than cover up a hurting inside with forced smiles. But most significantly, God is reminding me each morning that He’s got this. He knows the number of my days and the hairs on my head. He knows the names of our future children and the exact moment they will become part of our family. And so on… The best part: the end of this grand story has already been written! The work is finished. And I choose to live in the freedom of this truth.
SRT, these devotionals have been some of the best I have ever read in my years of following your studies!
“The upshot for Job was that God was responsible for his suffering in that He allowed it. That’s bold honesty.”
This is what I have been taught and believe. God is sovereign. God permits suffering and His presence in the midst of it can yield a greater understanding of who He is.
Recently an acquaintance shared that she does not believe that God allows or permits suffering. God is not responsible, only Satan. Any difficulties, struggles, misfortunes, sickness, and any losses that befall a believer are caused only by Satan because God is always good and therefore cannot, by His very nature, do the opposite. She does not believe that God afflicts His people to test their faith or to produce a stronger faith. She doesnt believe God afflicts or permits any affliction (mental, emotional or physical) – only Satan. I think this kind of thinking stems from a faith teaching called Word of Faith. I have not spoken with her in more depth – this is a foreign teaching to me. Has anyone heard of this? I do not believe it is mainstream teaching. The church she attends is quite large and promotes this quite strongly.
I believe this. It’s essentially “What do you believe about the nature of God?” Does he desire for you to be sick? Or does he desire for you to be well? If you are sick, it is a result of the fall and the enemy of your soul. Does he allow it? Apparently, he has. But he is not the author of it. Will he use it? Absolutely! Our God let’s nothing go to waste.
I believe he desires to make us like Jesus – he may use suffering (be it illness, financial struggles, disaster, etc) to form us into followers who can bring HIm glory and grow His kingdom. I see support for that in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. Verse 5 “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
So I do believe God authors trials and uses them for kingdom glory! We can be a part, even if it is through suffering and trial. I cling to that! Blessings sister! ❤️
If God doesn’t allow suffering, then they are saying that Satan stronger than Him. Because where is God when Satan is punishing Job? Either He is allowing it to happen, or He cannot stop it.
Churchmouse, Word of Faith is just one of the groups that preach what you have described. There are others. They may also teach that you can speak thinks into existence (“name it and claim it”). If one is not healed from an illness, it is because they do not have enough faith…I can go on and on. These are clearly extra-Biblical doctrines that cannot be supported with the whole counsel of the Scriptures. (To be sure, one can always find verses to support most theology.) There are many wonderful, godly people that I know that hold to these teachings, I just worry that when the hard times come, how will their faith stand?
The Book of Job is just one example that God allows us to walk through suffering so that we might use it to grow in faith, encourage others but mostly to bring Him glory! Look, we live in a fallen world with fallen bodies. We will all suffer pain. It’s not always Satan, sometimes, it’s just life on earth. There are so many examples in Scripture of godly people who suffered…not because of their sin, but just because they were human or because God called them to it. God is Sovereign! If He did not spare His own Son agony, what makes us think that our life will be pain free?
I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for years where many of the people who promote Word of Faith teachings have large churches and Bible schools. And a university. The dark side of this teaching is that when someone is not materially or physically prosperous (I e healed from diseases or having lots of money) the person is made to feel like this is their fault because they didn’t have enough faith. A lot of guilt especially when somebody dies of cancer or something like that. And the spiritual life is emphasized sometimes at the expense of people having a very poor testimony in their secular workplace. It is very focused on key scriptures that support a blessed blissful life is you have enough faith but neglicting the hard teachings of Jesus himself.
Prosperity Gospel is the other name for it
This really is beyond human understanding. To know that God takes away and he gives
Kathy,
I am praying for Allison and Bryan. May they know a peace only God can give.
Job 11:7-9 spoke to me this morning. I really don’t know so much about what happens and why things happen on this earth, whether to me or others. But God knows. And some day, I too will know.
Praying for Allison and Ryan for their strength and courage though this trial.
I have a friend I teach with who is at the hospital right now giving birth to a baby girl who probably will not survive. She has Trisomy 18 and a multitude of other issues. My friend’s prayer has been that baby Mary will survive long enough that she gets to hold her before she dies. I can’t even wrap my brain around it. We are praying for a miracle – that all the doctors are wrong, but…
I have had no words of wisdom for any of this. All I have been able to do is pray that God will be overwhelmingly present in all of this. Please pray with me that the baby survives the birth and that Allison gets to hold her. Pray that God will be utterly transcendent and all-powerful and that Allison and Ryan will be overwhelmed by His relentless and intimate love.
Praying
This is so hard and hits home for me in my job as a maternity doctor. Praying for holy moments where God reveals His love to your friend.
This is so hard. It hits home for me in my job as a maternity doctor. Praying for holy moments and memories made of God’s loving presence for your friend.
Praying for them. May they be able to show her love!
Praying!!!
Prayers
This happened to us with our first son 12 years ago. Just this Sunday in church we sang the words “Ne’er did such love and sorrow meet”, and I just sobbed as I pictured my baby sons face. I have since had three more sons, but deep, deep grief still appears every once in awhile. I will be praying for many mercies for your friends as they walk this sad road and meet their precious baby.
Praying for His love to bring Mary into this world long enough to give the parents a peace and a love beyond understanding for these precious moments.
Praying Baby Mary will arrive alive and God will allow the parents precious moments to cherish their daughter and God will overshadow them with peace, joy and love that will last a lifetime. They will unite together in Heaven healthy and whole.
Prayers for your friend and baby Mary!
Kathy, I’m praying right now! Not just that your friend will get to hold her sweet baby, but for so much more.
God is, was, and will always be IT, EVERYTHING, ALL.
Humbled by His patience.
Amazed by His love.
I was struck by the scripture from 2 Peter. Reminded that Jesus suffered even though he did not sin, I see that he was not comforted in his suffering except in his knowledge that his Father was in control. No words or platitudes could have eased the pain of the whips or the nails. Jesus’s suffering accomplished God’s greater purpose. I will rest my heart in that truth today.
“(Jesus) was not comforted in his suffering except in his knowledge that his Father was in control.” Thank you for pointing out that connection! It really struck me too.
Knowing that God is in control of everything in our lives, the good and the bad, is as scary as it is comforting. We know that we receive blessings that we don’t deserve. So it’s no real wonder that we receive heartache that we don’t deserve. In those times we must draw ourselves nearer to our Father. He protects us when the enemy wants to destroy us.
Agree