A Time for Joy, A Time for Mourning

Unfair Accusation

¹⁴ if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
¹⁵ then you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear


Zophar, the least tactful of the three friends, made direct accusation against Job, repeating the common refrain that Job was being punished for some sine. In a speech in Chapter 12, Job agreed in principle that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. But in his own case he knew that he was innocent. No matter how convincing their arguments, he had to protest against them. (Study note from the Student Bible, New International Version, Zondervan Publishing House.)

Job's three friends kept on accusing him of some hidden, unknown sin. They were convinced that God was punishing Job because he had sinned. Every time he was accused, Job would come back and say, "No! I am innocent! I have NOT sinned against God! Yes, I Know that He punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous, but I didn't do anything." He says in Job 12:15: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face." Job is ready to defend himself, but he knows that once he opens his mouth, his tongue will make him guilty (Job 9:20).

posted by Kari @ 1:11:00 PM