Zophar the Naamathite Answers Job

Verses 1-3 – Zophar is the third of Job’s friends and the least courteous. Zophar takes the same position as the other two, but with far more arrogance, Job had sinned. He also makes it clear that Job deserves much more punishment than he is getting. (Not a very sympathetic friend)

Verse 4 – Job had not claimed that he was sinless, only blameless and upright.

Verses 5, 6 – Zophar states that wisdom has two sides; the known and the unknown; the seen and the unseen. Only God  understands true wisdom and could view both sides from  all perspectives. If only Job could see both sides, he would realize God’s case against him, was just. Zophar declared that God had only punished him for part of his sin.

Verses 10, 11 – By calling Job “deceitful,” Zophar was accusing Job of hiding secret faults and sins. Job fully understood that one couldn’t hide anything from God, but it didn’t apply to his current dilemma.

Verses 15, 16 – Zophar believed that confessed sin and a change of lifestyle would restore Job’s honor and his position with  God and man. Although Job had gone through deep waters, these would pass and be only a distant memory.

Verse 19 – Zophar assured Job that with restoration his fame and reputation would  return.

Verse 20 – Zophar concluded his speech with a dire warning. Unlike the blessings offered to a repentant sinner today. Repent is to change one’s mind. The concept is that of a complete alteration of the basic motivation and direction of one’s life. You do this by reading God’s Word and being submissive to the Holy Spirit.