Job Chides His Accusers
12 Then Job [a]responded,
2 “Truly then you are the people,
And with you wisdom will die!
3 “But I have intelligence as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
And [b]who does not know such things as these?
4 “I am a joke to [c]my friends,
The one who called on God and He answered him;
The just and blameless man is a joke.
5 “[d]He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt,
As prepared for those whose feet slip.
6 “The tents of the destroyers prosper,
And those who provoke God are secure,
[e]Whom God brings into their power.7 “But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.
8 “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
And let the fish of the sea declare to you.
9 “Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?
11 “Does not the ear test words,
As the palate [f]tastes its food?
12 “Wisdom is with aged men,
With [g]long life is understanding.
Ironically (though with God nothing is ironic or unplanned…), I heard a preacher on the radio going through these very same chapters, and he pointed out that Job and his friends likely weren’t alone. I was just thinking yesterday, “how do you suppose they got all this written down?” Well, the hypothesis is that they had an audience, and so no doubt someone was “keeping score”, as it wasn’t just three guys consoling their friend in his despair. No, it was more like a public debate, and they were all trying to have the last word.
That plays into Job’s first remarks a bit, as he give his friends a little jab. He tells them they are so wise, that when they die, wisdom will be gone from the earth–Job himself is just a joke, no one to be concerned with… Then we get to the meat of this passage, and something Job keeps coming back to. He knows God has put him “on trial” but he doesn’t know why. He is certain God is doing something, but he can’t see what that is.
He’s miserable in the middle of it, and his only comfort is that no matter what happens, God is in control. If the “tents of the destroyers prosper” it’ll be alright, because God means it to be that way. It isn’t by accident that wicked people sometimes prosper. Sure, lots get their just desserts, but some just seem to get away with everything and keep coming up with more evil ways to gain power and money.
Solomon talked about this issue in Ecclesiastes, and it can be easy to worry and fret when the wicked prosper. We may wonder, “why doesn’t God do something, does He not see what they are doing?” Don’t worry, and don’t fret. God sees their deeds and He already knows exactly what He is going to do about it. We may never seem their judgment, but all will have to give an account to God in the end.
But for now, we rest in His unchanging grace, and His unfathomable love. It is so far beyond our capability that He loves everyone, even those who are causing us so much concern. For who knows but God, that they may yet turn and find his mercy waiting for them at the cross. Lay your burdens down at His feet, and though your body may find rest difficult, let your spirit be at ease as you let Him carry you through the fiery trials of life. He is Lord, even over the fire and water and wind and waves, let him be Lord in your life too.