Tag: Truth Get’s Loss in Debate - Job 20-21

From the Words of Zophar - Speaking about the Wicked:

Job 20:18

He will give back the fruit of his toil

and will not swallow it down;

from the profit of his trading

he will get no enjoyment.

From the Words of Job - Speaking about the Wicked:

Job 21:17

“How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out?

That their calamity comes upon them?

That God distributes pains in his anger?

Tag:  Truth Gets Loss in Arguments  

In the above two passages we have the words of Zophar and Job, as both speak about the wicked.  Zophar is making a point that the wicked do not last and they will soon have the recompense of their sin fall upon them.   His point is their wickedness catches up to them.  Job, on the other hand, is looking at the same wicked individuals and claiming that they often live in peace and enjoy their life.  He is asking Zophar “when” does this exactly happen, as he sees them fully engulfed in the enjoyment of life.  Zophar is stating all this because he sees Job’s world crash and believes the reason is because Job is wicked.   Zophar is right, in that the wicked WILL, one day, have their wickedness pour upon himself.   Yet, Job is not wicked.  We know this from chapter one of the book.   But, Job is also right.  He sees the wicked prosper every day.  Like Aspah, he sees no pain in their life:

Psalms 73:3-4

For I was envious of the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For they have no pangs until death;

their bodies are fat and sleek.

Neither Job or Zophar are, at this moment, trying to seek God’s face in their discussion.  Neither is open to the voice of the other.   Zophar has made up his mind about Job and is attempting to prove his point.   Job, in pain and suffering, is trying to justify himself, because he knows, deep down, he has “done” nothing to deserve this.  But, the proverbial, “why” is being asked ... “why did this happen.”   God has a bigger point than either of the two men.   God has allowed suffering in Job’s life for a reason, bigger than Zophar’s syllogistic reasoning and bigger than Job’s desire to prove his innocence.   Debate ought not to force the truth to be surprised.  Debate ought to have the desire to seek truth.   Notice how Christ had debates with the religious leader of the day.   He asks questions to get to the truth.   Zophar is making statements.  Job is making statements.   Neither is seeking truth.   Both may be true, when looking at their statements in solitary thought.  But, both are wrong in regard to the discussion at hand.