(REFLECTIONS ON Job 20:1-29; Job 21:1-34)

Zophar’s argument in today’s Scripture is that the wicked are punished by the Lord. That those that do evil will not be able to hold on to the things they have gained through wicked ways. Zophar argues,

20:27 “The heavens will reveal his iniquity,
And the earth will rise up against him.
20:28 “The increase of his house will depart;
His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger.
20:29 “This is the wicked man’s portion from God,
Even the heritage decreed to him by God.

Zophar says that those that do evil will swallow riches, but will vomit them up, and it will be God that takes these riches from his belly and removes them. He also implies that the ending for those that are wicked is the dust, for that is where they will lie.

Job’s response to Zophar is that his arguments are inconsistent with reality. Not only that, but how do these arguments provide comfort to a man in desperate need of comfort?

21:34 “How then will you vainly comfort me,
For your answers remain full of falsehood?”

What is truth? That the wicked live full and prosperous lives dying in full strength being wholly at ease and satisfied as Job states? Or, what Zophar says, “Therefore his prosperity does not endure?” Who is full of falsehood, and who is full of truth? Perhaps the key in today’s Scripture isn’t in the falsehood or the truth, but rather in the Zophar’s attitude in speaking these words to Job.

20:2 “Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond,
Even because of my inward agitation.”

Zophar speaks out of agitation, but Job responds out of suffering. So, both are speaking out of their own circumstances, reminding us that both are responding somewhere in between falsehood and truth.

Actually many times our own arguments, understanding of God, understanding of this world are in between falsehood and truth, because we are also speaking from a place of circumstance. Our mood, our status, our environment all affect how we understand God.

So the question then is how do we as a people that live in between falsehood and truth find objective Truth? No, it isn’t just through observation, through history and exploration, but in God’s Word, through Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit.

How is it possible for humans to have true objectivity? It is to remember the fact that the main character to this story of life, is not us, but God. God doesn’t live in between falsehood and truth, but He is Truth with a capital “T.” That is why submission, surrender, and obedience to the sovereignty and authority of the Almighty God is the only way to the Truth.

And that is a path towards the cross where it is no longer “I” who live, but Christ lives in us. As we move further into the Book of Job we will see God answer, and when God answers, no one, not even Job’s answers can stand.

If we continue to live a life of faith sharing sovereignty with God, or even in some cases claiming sovereignty ourselves, then at best we will always live in between falsehood and truth. However, if we can just say, “God” and let all glory be His, then maybe just maybe it’ll give us greater insight into life and death than ever before.

The answer is there, but it isn’t in Job or his three friends, but in God, through Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Job 20
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Job 21