Job 12
In Job’s response, he is speaking to all three of his friends. Job does not mince words with them. His response could be summed up in one word, “really?” Job’s response to his friends is that their wisdom is temporal at best. It only lives, if it is expounded by another individual; as opposed to God’s wisdom, that will endure through the ages and into eternity, because it is absolute truth. Their wisdom lacks any depth of reality, it is experiential wisdom based on assumed observations.
Job 12:1-2
1And Job answered and said, 2No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
Job is not mincing words with his friends. Job tells them that their words are vain; their wisdom will not survive beyond their own lives. Job is telling them that if they do not speak, there will be no remembrance of their wisdom. It will go to the grave with them.
This is not to say that others will not declare such ideas. Even today many agree with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. People may not realize that they spout out the same drivel. There is no reality or truth in their understanding of life. Their thoughts and words only exist if they declare them. Whereas God’s wisdom, the wisdom of Job, is evident in nature and in people’s lives. This is no different than Galileo’s declaration that the earth was not the center of the universe. The authorities at that time, who believed that the earth was the center of the universe, could get him to recant; however, truth survives beyond false declarations. Today, it is commonly known that the earth rotates around the sun, and the sun is in the center of the solar system.
Job 12:3
3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
This may seem to be a total lack of humility on Job’s part; however, more is at stake that many of us realize. And there may be more listening than just the four of them. Job takes a stand against his so-called friends and counselors. He tells them that they are not superior to him. Job tells them that they ought to take time to listen to him rather than disregarding his words, because that is what they have done from the beginning. They have consistently assumed that Job is not confessing his sin; and therefore, must be hiding something. It is as if they are taking advantage of Job’s situation to minimize his wisdom and to exalt themselves. It makes one wonder who else is hearing this conversation. Potentially there is an audience present and Job’s friends are not only speaking to him, but to an audience that formerly would not look to them for wisdom. It is their chance for prominence.
Further, Job is telling his friends that any truth they know is simplistic and commonly known.
Job 12:4-5
4I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. 5He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
Job is making quite the declaration to those present. If there are others around beside Job’s friends, he is speaking to them.
Point of clarification, with the exception of one individual; it cannot be stated proof positive that others are present. (Elihu who will speak later will claim to be have been present.) That would be going beyond the word. However, it will become apparent, as the book continues, that Job‘s detractors are likely speaking to a growing audience.
In Job 12:4, Job is making a point similar to what the psalmist stated in Psalm 35:17-19.
17Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. 18I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. 19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
Although Job has walked as a righteous man, those around him mock and make light of his situation. Job has strived to walk with God and now that his life is falling apart, others ridicule him. It is the ones at ease, the ones that have not endeavored to walk with God, that are mocking him. Instead of helping him, they are standing by and watching Job fall. Rather than showing compassion for Job, they despise him and ridicule Job for their benefit.
Job 12:6
6The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
This may seem an odd thing for Job to state. That evil individuals would prosper. However, listen to the rest, Job 12:7-11.
7But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: 8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? 10In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. 11Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Job is telling his detractors that even the animals and earth itself understand what is occurring. However, Job’s friends are unaware. The earth and all that live are going through a time that is known as the permitting of evil (this was discussed in Job 9). Again Job 12:6.
6The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
We are in a time when evil is permitted. Not because God desires it, but for mankind’s own benefit as discussed in Job 9. This is a fact as demonstrated by nature, it was known those before them; however, Job’s friends seem not to understand.
In what follows next, Job tells how God effectively controls all things. However, with all things God is not arbitrary as some may assume. Always keep Romans 8:28 in mind.
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Job 12:12-13
12With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. 13With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
The ancient is God, as in Daniel 7:9
9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
It is God who has wisdom. Often we do not understand, because we only see a moment in eternity. As humans, we have a limited view of life. God can see through time into eternity. Our opportunity to see as God does comes through Ephesians 1:17-18.
17That the God of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
God can reveal truth to us. Yet if one is not serious about walking in God’s word, it is doubtful that God would give one much revelation.
Job 12:14
14Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
This speaks of the finality of God. When God so chooses to stop something, man cannot bring life to it again. Only God can create life, we can only corrupt and destroy.
What follows seems to be an assortment of random occurrences controlled by God, Job 12:15-25.
15Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. 16With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. 17He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools. 18He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle. 19He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty. 20He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged. 21He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty. 22He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death. 23He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again. 24He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. 25They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
After reading these occurrences, one might conclude that we have little hope. Or, they might ask is God arbitrary? It seems that he does one thing and then the opposite. How do we know which will happen to us? For the one that just reads the Book of Job and does not study it deeply, one could erroneously conclude that life is random and unexplainable. However, the real answer is quite simple. We must understand God’s point of view and His eternal purpose. This, in itself, does not come easy. It will require deep study and dedication. One must accept God’s truth over all other possibilities. Then we need to walk in that truth to remove randomness from our lives.
We as humans need to stop placing our needs above God’s eternal purposes. If we would place ourselves in God’s will and operate within His eternal purposes, life would become easy. We would no longer struggle with our purpose. We would no longer waste our time on things that are fruitless. We would see more growth and success in our lives. But that would require us to surrender our will to His. Few of us will ever fully submit to God’s will. However, that is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. That is what Yeshua did, 1 Peter 2:21.
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
We must be precise in walking after Him. We must build a hedge, if we are to take randomness out of our lives.
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