Zophar has made it clear that Job's pain is a result of sin against a righteous God. Job first responds with a sarcastic "So you know everything!" and then lays out his understanding of the depth and power of God.
Job 12:1-3, I too know these things
Then Job replied:
"Doubtless you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you!
But I have a mind as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Who does not know all these things?
Job's first response is sarcastic. "Oh, so you alone have wisdom! If you die, wisdom is gone!" He then goes on to say, "Look, I know all this. Your words are not helping."
Hartley says that Job's complaint ("Doubtless...") in verse 2 in the original Hebrew (’omnām ’attem ʽam ḥokmâ mût ʽim) is a rythmic "murmur by assonance", a string of ms and gutturals.
Job 12:4-6, Hand of God in all
"I have become a laughingstock to my friends,
though I called upon God and he answered
-- a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!
Men at ease have contempt for misfortune
as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.
The tents of marauders are undisturbed,
and those who provoke God are secure--
those who carry their god in their hands.
Job continues his insistence that he has been upright. His "friends" are like those who when safe and secure have contempt for people who are slipping and falling. Meanwhile God leaves marauders and idolaters alone.
Job 12:7-10, Hand of God in all
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish of the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job sees God's hand in everything and the creatures agree. Job is not doubting God's power and control. And there is, indeed, wisdom in watching and learning from the animals.
Job 12:11-12, We search for wisdom
Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
Is not wisdom found among the aged?
Does not long life bring understanding?
We are made to consider wisdom, to "test words", just as the tongue tastes food. And we develop wisdom over a long life. Here Job is merely pointing out that he too considers wisdom and does not need the basic primitive teachings of his friends.
Job 12:13-21, To God alone is power
"To God belong wisdom and power;
counsel and understanding are his.
What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;
the man he imprisons cannot be released.
If he holds back the waters, there is drought;
if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
To him belong strength and victory;
both deceived and deceiver are his.
He leads counselors away stripped
and makes fools of judges.
He takes off the shackles put on by kings
and ties a loincloth around their waist.
He leads priests away stripped
and overthrows men long established.
He silences the lips of trusted advisers
and takes away the discernment of elders.
He pours contempt on nobles
and disarms the mighty.
To God belongs completee wisdom and full control. If He wants to tear down or build up, it will happen. If he wants drought or flood, it will occur. God can make fools of counselors and judges and free those enchained by kings. He can make the mighty impotent and foolish.
Job 12:22-25, Deep things and greatness
He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings deep shadows into the light.
He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he sends them wandering through a trackless waste.
They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
Job continues to emphasize God's uniqueness and omnipotence, his control over nations and rulers. God can shine a light on deeds done in darkness or, the reverse, move leaders into darkness where they stagger blindly. (Isaiah 45: 7.)
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