Passion and Prejudice

Job’s third friend now has his chance to speak, and as the argument continues we see glimmers of truth on both sides of the debate. Job confesses the creative power and sustaining mercy of God (10:8-12) while Zophar extols God’s wisdom and omnipotence (11:7-12). But these high points of theological truth are clouded by Job’s passion and Zophar’s prejudice; the argument is brought no closer to a resolution. Even so, we can discern some divine direction for life and faith.

Job’s Passion (Chapter 10)
Job feels that his circumstances give him the right to “vent” (v.1,2), but Scripture tells us that this is a bad policy (e.g. Prov 17:27). Job, in his passion, oversteps the bounds of reverence and seems to question God’s justice (v.3-7).
Hi orthodoxy returns with eloquence as he meditates on his own creation in the womb (v.8-12). The intricate detail of our creation is an argument for mercy as well as an inducement to piety (cf. Ps. 139). This is a truthful, common sense confession about when life begins and whose work it is.
But he questions the purpose of his life in light of his hardships in v.13-22. Had he personally applied the great truth that he confessed, he could have concluded his speech with the prayer of Ps 138:8 or the truth of Phil 1:6.

Zophar’s Prejudice (Chapter 11)
Job’s third friend adds nothing more to what has already been said, except for more intractable dogmatism and arrogant prejudice. He assumes that moral effort leads to perfect bliss v.13-20