Job 11:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Job 11:13

Comments

When we remember that Satan had requested a free hand to assault Job, that God had granted him his request, and that it was therefore he who was behind these speeches of the comforters, we marvel at what he chose to have them say. Satan who has such hatred for God and his people, can nevertheless sail very close to the wind. Here he is speaking through Zophar and appearing to advocate godliness and honesty and sincerity with God, all things that are loathed by him. How does he accomplish such a transformation? ‘Let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.’ Who would ever have thought that the emissaries of the devil could say such a thing? The explanation lies in the goal being sought. The end justifies the means, and the goal of destroying Job’s faith and his theology and having him approach God on the same basis as the friends, on the basis of works rather than grace, is worth the trouble. It justifies the distasteful business of appearing to advocate godliness. But how else was a man like Job to be brought down? Satan must learn to speak the language of the saints, otherwise he will be rejected at first sight. Words become just a tool to manipulate others and the real agenda lies hidden beneath the surface.What does Zophar want from religion? You would think if we don’t want the Bible or an encounter with God, we would dispense with religion altogether. But no, people want religion and we see why. He wants a God to pray to, but he doesn’t want a Lord to serve. He wants to pray because it gives them comfort, security, therefore he wants to hang on to the idea that there is a God who can help in need. The purpose of God is to ask for things; he doesn’t want to serve God and to be reconciled to him, to obey and to be guided by. Zophar will go to him when he has a need – like going to the bank. You can have a very imperfect motive for your religion. He wanted a God he could deserve, a God you can stand up straight before, a God who makes you feel good in yourself. That would satisfy his pride, let him keep his self-esteem. Not like Job’s God who said, ‘Only the humble can come to me.’ He did not want to have to go and ask for forgiveness. Proud worshippers don’t like to have to come, conscious of their sin.

Application

For us the lesson is the great need for discernment. We must beware of threats; we must beware of flattery. We must realise that there is a form of godliness which denies the power thereof. The fact that we recognise some of the vocabulary of Zion is not enough. A man can start off on the right track, walking in the right direction, and turn aside. If he does so we must not follow him. We are to test all things, not in a suspicious minded way, but ‘[being] sober, [being] vigilant, because [our] adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8). The language of nominalism and works based religion can sound very much like the gospel. Sometimes it is detected not by what it says but by what it leaves out. False religion may be very keen to advocate good works, but there is a great deal of difference between the works that come from the natural man, and those that come from the new nature.

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Job 11:13 Commentary and Bible Study