Then Job replied to Zophar:
"There is no doubt about it!
I am in the presence of the only wise men in the world!
When you leave this world, we will be utterly lost without you!
But then again, I have a mind too, don't I?
I can think too, can't I?
These things are not beyond my ore anyone else for that matter!
Who doesn't already know all these general rules of thumb that you keep saying over and over?
My friends no longer respect me. There used to be a time when I would call upon God for help and He would deliver me from trouble. But now - oh how very far I have fallen in their eyes. I am a mere laughingstock.
But I have respected God in the way that I live! I do not have some secret sin that I refuse to let go of!
People who have it good don't like to have to see people in trouble - it make them uncomfortable. And for that reason they try to blame the hurting person for thier own troubles.
God does not always bring calamity on evildoers! Violent invaders enjoy prosperous homes. People who antagonize God remain safe from harm. They carry their pet idols with them wherever they go and still God leaves them unpunished.
If you don't believe me, look at the animals and you will see how things work in this world. Look at the birds, the earth itself, the fish of the sea, and see how things work in this world. Each one of these will show the same thing. They will show that sometimes the LORD allows the wicked to prosper.
In God's hand is the life of every animal as well as the life of all mankind. As surely as ears were made for hearing, and tongues were made for tasting, Wisdom is found among the aged. A long life brings with it experience and understanding.
The ultimate wisdom belongs to God! He has all power! Perfect advice and absolute understanding belong to Him alone!
What he tears down stays torn down until he allows it to be rebuilt. Any man he imprisons will stay that way until He allows otherwise. If He withholds water, there is drought. If He lets them totally go, there is flood that devastates the land. To God belongs strength and victory.
He is Lord over the dishonest and the honest. He can bring the high man down and lift the lowest man up. Kings and counselors, Priests and advisors, Noblemen, Mighty Men ... They all fall when God deems it appropriate. Their special skills are taken away from them just as easily as they were given by Him! Prisoners are set free and put in comfort when God deems it appropriate.
God reveals great mysteries in His time, things we could never understand without his enlightenment. He makes nations great, and He also destroys them. He makes them grow and makes them fall apart. When He makes their leaders lose their common sense, they wander aimlessly like drunk men without His help and guidance.
I have seen it with my own eyes. I have heard it with my own ears. I already knew these things were true way before you started saying them! But even though I already know these same things as you, even still - I want to speak with God. I want to state my case before Him!
You are not giving me a fair chance! You accuse me falsely! REmind me not to come to you for help when I am sick! (If I have a bad tooth, you would hit my toe with a hammer!) If only you would quit talking. For you, that would be like words of wisdom.
Won't you please try to understand what I've been saying? It really does make sense if you will only really listen.
Think about it. Does God want you to accuse people falsely?
Does God want you to use deceit on His behalf?
Does God want you to stack the deck in His favor?
You stand on God's side of the fence and hurl accusations at me but what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if God were to turn his attention toward you and your life?
Would you really fare any better than me?
You may trick men but you can't fool God! Of course God doesn't want you to be unfair to me just so you can try to be on His side! If God were to turn on you, wouldn't you be scared to death? Wouldn't fear grip you just as it has me?
They sayings you quote are made of ashes. Your arguments are worthless. Don't interrupt me though I can tell you cannot wait to talk again. Give me a chance to finish what I'm saying and we will see what happens then.
Why do you think I am doing this? Do you think I would want to take my case before God if I were guilty? Even if God does put me to death, even then will I put my hope in Him! Yes, I believe God will work all of this out in the end. I will bring my defense before His face. Yes, I will be delivered. No wicked man would dare to come before Him like I am doing.
Mark my words. Now that I am prepared to defend myself, I will be vindicated! Does anyone have a formal charge to bring against me? If so, if I am indeed guilty of some terrible sin in my heart and life, then I will shut up and die.
Next Chapter - Job speaks to God!!!
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