I once thought (as I first began studying Job) that I’d like to discern the “differences” between Job’s three “friends.” The “nuances” of their arguments. The “peculiarities” of each man’s reasoning, about “suffering.”
But I have concluded that there is no MAJOR difference between the three. All feel Job is guilty of some great sin! And that God is demolishing Job for that reason, “unconfessed iniquity” somewhere in the man’s life! And each feels that he knows the answer … three huge “egos” … men of wisdom all!
But perhaps this much can be said, differentiating them.
They try to “outdo” each other, it appears, in harshness to Job!
Each strives to be MEANER that his predecessor … throwing barb after barb at Job their acquaintance!
Today we notice Job chapter 20, where the man named “Zophar” is speaking, for his last time in the Book. Eliphaz and Bildad both give three speeches, Zophar only two. (This may be the Jobian author’s way of saying that the antagonists’ arguments are failing! Their falsely alleged charges against Job getting no “traction!” The probably intended “3 cycles” of rebuttal (against Job) falling short! Breaking apart prematurely!
Yes, Zophar is mean!
He, like Bildad did in Job chapter 18 (review that Lesson) likens Job to the typical “wicked man.”
(Another example of how these “friends” seem to merely repeat each other, in many ways. Compare Job chapters 18 and 20 to see what I mean.)
But Zophar seems to “hone” his description of “the wicked man” … to especially “fit” Job!
Cruel indeed!
Zophar opens this way: “Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, that the triumphing of the WICKED is short, and the joy of the HYPOCRITE but for a moment?” Job 20:4-5, where he just face-to-face called Job a “hypocrite.” As well as “wicked!”
Listen to the near vulgarity of this next line: “Though his (the “wicked man’s,” as in “Job’s”) excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; Yet he shall perish for ever like HIS OWN DUNG.” Job, you may have once been rich … but you’re not worth “manure” now! Job, you’re headed to the “septic tank,” to the “sewer!”
And Job, you must have been a very wicked young man! “His (again, the typical “wicked man’s”) bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.” Job 20:11, the sins of youth! (This accusation being lodged against a man who has a “vow” with his eyes … to never lust after a pretty young girl! See Job 31:1 for authentication.)
Waxing poetic, Zophar now observes: “He (Job as “wicked”) shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.” Job 20:16, in other words … “JOB, YOU ARE SNAKEBITTEN!” God has so “doomed” you, “condemned” you!
(When in reality the Devil, the Satan, the real “serpent,” could NOT bite Job, count NOT make him curse God! One of Satan’s greatest all-time defeats, the life of the man named Job!)
Then an outright lie posited against Job by Zophar: Job’s troubles are “because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not.” Job 20:19, but not a record of any such thing exists in all Job’s 42 chapters! In fact, Job says NO emphatically! (In Job 31:16 this godly man curses himself IF … “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail.” He had done no such thing!)
God is mighty angry at Job, and rightly so, thinks (and says) Zophar! “When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.” Job 20:23, just when Job is about to eat … God’s red-hot “Fury” falls!
(God is not testing Job like this because of His righteous anger. Rather, God is proud of Job, of his outstanding integrity. God is actually putting the man “on display,” to be seen through all the ages! Hear God speaking to the Satan, twice in Job chapters 1 and 2: “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Wow!)
Zophar is wrong!
But listen to this, as he rants further: “The heaven shall reveal his (Job’s) iniquity!” Job 20:27, just you wait, Job. Eternity will reveal what a rascal you are! (I really suspect eternity will echo these approving words about Job: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21)
And remember how Job’s 500 yoke of oxen were “taken away” (stolen) by the Sabeans? And how Job’s 3,000 camels were also “rustled” by the Chaldeans? How “Job-specific” could a set of charges become? Zophar blurts: “The increase of his house shall depart (as in being “stolen”), and his goods shall flow away (as in being “rustled”) in the day of his (God’s) wrath.” Job 20:28, brutal, really anything but “filled with the Holy Spirit’s gentle kindness!”
We’ve reached the end of the chapter, Job 20.
Goodbye Zophar!
His name does not appear again the Book of Job until Almighty God censures these three friends, telling them they have not spoken right about Job! See Job 42:7-9 for proof, for the Scripture verifying what I just said.
False accusations!
Oh, how dangerous they can be.
How hurtful.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell