1 And Job answered and said,
2 No doubt but ye [are] the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I [am] not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am [as] one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright [man is] laughed to scorn.
5 He that is ready to slip with [his] feet [is as] a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly].
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
10 In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
12 With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 With him [is] wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver [are] his.
17 He leadeth counsellers away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them [again].
24 He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness [where there is] no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like [a] drunken [man].
Overview of Job Chapter 12
Job Chapter 12 is a pivotal moment in the Book of Job, where Job responds to his friends’ previous arguments and critiques their understanding of God’s justice and wisdom. This chapter highlights Job’s assertion of his own wisdom and knowledge, contrasting it with the limited understanding of his companions.
Structure of the Chapter
- Job’s Response to His Friends (Verses 1-6)
- God’s Sovereignty and Wisdom (Verses 7-12)
- God’s Power Over Creation (Verses 13-25)
Job’s Response to His Friends (Verses 1-6)
In the opening verses, Job begins by expressing his frustration with his friends’ simplistic views on suffering and divine retribution.
- Self-Defense: Job asserts that he is not inferior to his friends, emphasizing that he too possesses knowledge and understanding.
- Critique of Conventional Wisdom: He challenges the notion that the wicked always suffer and the righteous always prosper, highlighting the inconsistency in their arguments.
- Mockery of Their Assumptions: Job sarcastically suggests that his friends believe they hold exclusive wisdom, implying that their perspective is narrow and flawed.
God’s Sovereignty and Wisdom (Verses 7-12)
Job shifts the focus from his own situation to the broader understanding of God’s creation and wisdom.
- Nature as a Teacher: Job encourages his friends to observe the natural world, suggesting that animals, birds, and fish possess innate wisdom about God’s ways.
- Human Limitations: He emphasizes that true understanding comes from God, who is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.
- Age and Experience: Job highlights the value of age and experience in gaining wisdom, contrasting it with the youthful arrogance of his friends.
God’s Power Over Creation (Verses 13-25)
In the final section of the chapter, Job elaborates on God’s unmatched power and authority over all creation.
- God’s Control: Job describes how God has the power to alter the fate of nations and individuals, illustrating His sovereignty.
- Wisdom and Might: He asserts that God is both wise and powerful, able to confound the wise and bring down the mighty.
- Divine Judgment: Job reflects on how God can blind and deceive those who oppose Him, reinforcing the idea that human understanding is limited in the face of divine will.
- Conclusion of God’s Authority: Job concludes by reiterating that all aspects of life, including suffering and prosperity, are under God’s control, challenging his friends to reconsider their simplistic views of divine justice.
Theological Implications
Job Chapter 12 raises significant theological questions about the nature of suffering, the wisdom of God, and the limitations of human understanding. It emphasizes the complexity of God’s governance of the world, suggesting that human beings cannot fully comprehend His ways.
Conclusion
This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility in the face of divine mystery and the need for a deeper understanding of God’s character beyond conventional wisdom. Job’s insistence on the complexity of God’s justice challenges readers to reflect on their own assumptions about suffering and righteousness.
