Lessons from Job

Part 3: Zophar

Xanthe Galanis

You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’ Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you. 

Job 11:4-5

Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? 

Job 11:11

If Eliphaz approached Job with cautious tolerance and Bildad was moderately offended at Job, the third friend to speak, Zophar, is seething with anger and downright cruel.

Whereas Eliphaz does not include Job among the unrighteous and Bildad is uncertain of Job's moral status, Zophar is quite certain Job is morally deficient. Whereas Job's argument offends Bildad, we get the sense that Job himself offends Zophar. This is the best explanation for the unexpected and cruel words he speaks to his friend. As far as Zophar is concerned, Job has been let off lightly by God. It is an act of mercy that something worse has not occurred. 

Eliphaz was kind, but misguided because he leant solely on his own experience. Bildad was quick to tell Job that he was wrong about God's character and Zophar told Job outright that he was sinful and stupid. Job's friends thought they understood why he was suffering. They refused to believe Job was innocent and stubbornly kept on giving him bad advice. When he didn’t listen to them, they left.

How many times have you rolled your eyes or lashed out at a friend in anger because you've thought that, somehow, they have brought something on themselves? How can we avoid this?

It is right that we should turn to the Word of God, but we need to apply God's truth in love so that it builds up and edifies (Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:5). Job's friends assumed Job was the one in need of correction when in truth, they were the ones who needed to change their approach.

Prayer: Give me the wisdom to apply your truth with love and wisdom when friends suffer. Thank you for godly friends who have supported me through tough times. Amen.