Job answered – No doubt you are the people and wisdom will die with you, he has understanding as much as them. Job isn’t inferior, who doesn’t know such things. Job is a just and blameless man and yet a laughingstock to his friends; he called to God and He answered. Robbers’ homes, idolators, and those who provoke God are secure. The plants and animals will teach us – the hand of the Lord has done this: “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” Wisdom is with the old, and understanding in length of days: “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. He tears down, none can rebuild.” He rules over man, water, land, “With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.” He rules over lawyers, judges, kings, priests, the mighty, the speech of the trusted, discernment of elders, princes, and the strong. He, “uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light.” He rules over nations, understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth.
Job replies to Zophar, Bildad, and Eliphaz that wisdom will die with them. He tells them he’s not inferior and knows about what they are telling him – the sinfulness of man, and the retribution principle that we get what we deserve, and that Job actually deserves worse for his sin that what God did. Yet, Job knows he’s a just and blameless man in regard to the reasons why he’s undergoing this suffering. Their concept of how God works in retribution is flawed. If God punishes based on wickedness then why does the wicked live in peace and safety? Clearly, common parlance about God’s retribution is often wrong. Something else is going on here. Then Job proclaims that God is sovereign over all things. God, as we go through trials, help us to hate our sin, but also help us to not misunderstand what is going on. God, when we don’t understand why we suffer, encourage us through Christ to know that somehow it is for our good and Your glory. Help us to find comfort not in our own righteousness in a trial, but in Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Father, thank you for this picture of the righteous sufferer in Job, to build a type for Jesus Christ to perfectly fulfill. God, help us to know that when we suffer that you are perfectly wise and just to do what is best even though we don’t understand. Help us cling to You even as you will not loosen Your grip on Your people who are called by Your name.