Job 12

Job 12:1-25

This chapter is a sort of introduction or setup for Job's next speech in chapters 12-14. His response to the harsh speech of Eliphaz and Zophar expresses the bitterness they have brought.

In verses 1-6 Job’s cynical side comes out. In verses 7-12, Job calls on witnesses of what was considered common knowledge. Then in verses 13-25 (and we ought to include vs. 1-2 of the next chapter), Job speaks of the character and the power of God. 

With sarcasm dripping from his lips, Job says that his three companions are clearly the apex of humanity. We never hold a person in greater contempt than when we overtly offer false praise. Perhaps Job’s pride has been wounded by their patronizing him, but here he asserts his equality. A clever man never says to a moron, “I am as smart as you."  A gorgeous woman never says to an ugly woman, “I'm as pretty as you.”  Job’s response is an emotionally painful one.  There is an important point for us in verses 4-6. When I give advice to people in pain, it can come across as a bad, bitter joke.   Rather than helping Job, his three friends have rubbed salt in his wounds. What people may perceive is something like, "If you were smart like me, you would understand your problem too, but since you're too dumb to get it, I'll explain your problem and give you a solution." We need to be careful about how we give advice. 

Rather than amazing insider knowledge, Job says that what his friends have expressed is common knowledge in all creation and in all ages. In contrast to the cynical "With you all wisdom will die" (v. 2), Job says everyone and everything knows this.

Job concludes his opening by asserting that God is the One who "causes it to happen." No one can resist His actions, and He often reverses circumstances."

"Lord, help me to restrain my advice and not become bitter in my pain. AMEN."