A Multitude of Words

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: “Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
Job 11:1-3
+
A Multitude of Words
The third of Job’s so-called friends, Zophar, now addresses Job.  He is the harshest in his condemnation of Job.  Like the previous two friends, Zophar sees the fault of Job’s condition resting squarely on his shoulders.  He accuses Job of simply talking too much and against God as well.  Being the last to speak implies Zophar is the youngest or possibly the least respected, and his tone and tenor of his remarks also points to this.  But is Zophar right? Does Job in fact deserve all that has befallen him?  We are all guilty and deserve punishment, yet God does not come to His people in this way.  When confronted with the reality of our sins, God does not immediately pour out His wrath upon them. He first sent His Son, Jesus, to bare those sins on our behalf.  To take our punishment which we deserved. So yes, Job certainly deserves all which has happened and even more, but God, in Christ, has forgiven Him. He has said I will not look upon your transgressions or hold them against you, for they have been paid for. The multitude of God’s Word attests to this fact.  And while Job suffers, it is not on account of God, but his restoration is entirely God’s doing.  For in Christ, we have forgiveness of sin and life eternal.