But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope–loss of life!” Job11:20
Zophar accuses Job’s pride & iniquity
Zophar attacks Job, condemns his boasting, and insists that there must be some secret sin that God knows even if Job’s friends do not . He lectures Job for claiming to be right and pure in God’s sight. If God spoke up, he could produce evidence to show Job hasn’t even gotten what his sins deserve! If God punishes, the sufferer must be guilty. Then comes Zophar’s sermon, a classic example of proclaiming irrelevant truth.
The paraphrase: “Be devoted to the Lord. Pray. Stop sinning. Then everything will be fine. What a dagger in the heart of a man who has been devoted to God, but is suffering anyway! And what pain Zophar’s description of divine blessing must have caused (17-20). This is exactly what Job’s life was like and all has been lost, in spite of the fact that Job is not at fault! Zophar concludes with an appeal. If Job will only get his heart right with God, God will accept Job.
17 And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. 18 And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. 19 You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope–loss of life!”
“I wish God would speak” (11:5). Let’s remember that God really is sole judge and arbitrator. Paul says, “Let us stop passing judgment on one another” (Rom. 14:13), and James warns against setting ourselves up as judges, even when we have the Law as guide (James 4:11-12).
5 But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you
