Subject: Counseling - Job 11

Job 11:11-12 (ESV Strong's)

For he knows worthless men;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
But a stupid man will get understanding
when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

Subject:  Counseling

Chapter 11 of the Book of Job gives us the words of Job's third friend, Zophar.   Whereas Job's first friend, Elphaz, attributed Job's suffering in the context of his past righteousness and believes this current state is only a minor setback, soon to past; and, whereas Job's second friend, Bildad, attributed Job's suffering in the context of his children (they were much sinners and died, therefore Job must have only slightly sinned since he is still alive); Zophar has no patience for Job.  Zophar believes (and states what he believes bluntly) that Job is simply a sinner who has been discovered by God, and therefore is being punished by God.   Zophar does not mince words.   He says what he thinks.   And, although the rest of the chapter Zophar does offer Job some hope for repentance and relief of his suffering, in the above verses he paints a very dark outcome for Job.   In verse eleven he simply tells Job that God sees sin and he can't hide his from God.  He then, in verse twelve, offers little hope to Job, by quoting a proverb that in essences says, "the chances of a 'stupid man' (like Job) of getting 'understanding' has about as much chance as a wild donkey being born tamed (the better translation of the Hebrew word, than 'born a man').  What Zophar has done, like many of us, void of grace and the power of God, is to condemn Job and let him know that his sin is beyond repair and hopeless.   When we put ourselves in this place of judgment we do harm to the grace of God.   Remember, God knows Job and knows of his righteousness.  God is allowing Satan to do what he will, minus killing Job.  Zophar could not be farther off in his assessment.   Yet, he speaks of no hope and have Job's most certain guilt.   This is how we are about sin in people's lives, or hardship in people's lives.  We are quick to assume their unyielding guilt and certain hopelessness.  Yet, God has the situation well in control.   We ought to never counsel people in light of Zophar's words.  We need to remember that only God knows the situation and our counsel ought to be in light of God's amazing grace and the power of His love.   Yes, there might be little hope for people (when pigs fly), but God is the God of miracles and our counsel ought to reflect that hope and possibility.