So Wrong Divine Intervention is Required

In my recent reading from the book of Job I came across the following from Zophar. I’ll quote just a bit:

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered?
Should a man full of talk be justified?
Should your boastings make men hold their peace?
When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure.
I am clean in your eyes.’

But oh that God would speak,
and open his lips against you,
that he would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For true wisdom has two sides.
Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
(Job 11:1-6, WEB)

I once preached a sermon in which I labeled the three friends of Job with modern denominational labels. I didn’t do this because I had tagged a particular one of them with denominational characteristics. In fact, I can’t remember what label I put on each. What I was trying to illustrate is that Job’s friends have their disciples in our modern churches.

Have you ever had an argument, or to be kind, a ‘vigorous discussion’ with someone, only to have it conclude with your opponent saying something like “I’ll pray for you!” By the tone, you know they won’t be praying for your health. What they’ll be praying for is that God will straighten you out. Now I don’t mind having someone pray for me, and I’m sure God can handle whatever they ask, but often the underlying meaning of that phrase is something quite different. To go to the title of this post, what you’re being told is that you’re so wrong (and so stubborn) that only divine intervention will suffice to set you straight.

Notice how Zophar first assures Job that he doesn’t understand, then wishes God would explain things to Job, but in the final line of the quote, he says “But know this …” Zophar is sure Job doesn’t understand, but he, Zophar, has it straight. If you continue reading the chapter, Zophar brings up many things that Job doesn’t understand. The implication behind the speech, however, is that Zophar does.

When Job responds, he says:

“No doubt, but you are the people,
and wisdom shall die with you.
But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?” (Job 12:2-3, WEB)

It’s possible for an appeal to God or an appeal to prayer to be an act of humility. You’ll probably know by the tone. But generally such calls come from someone who is so sure he or she is deep in the counsels of God and doesn’t need instruction. But you do.

As you’re thinking about that, however, consider how many debates you’ve been in, in which you were the one with a tame god on a leash, ready to be sic’d on your opponent. Then try Job 38:2 on for size:

Who is this who darkens counsel
by words without knowledge?