Commentary on the Book of Job part seventeen

                                Job 11:1-20

Zophar became incensed against Job because Zophar sensed that Job had established some communication with God and that made Zophar envious. Zophar had heard Job claim that he had found favor with God although he admitted that he was a sinner, but not wicked. Zophar called Job a liar for making such a claim. Zophar could not understand how Job had found favor with God if God had caused him to so greatly suffer.

Zophar believed in a stern and demanding God, not a merciful one. Zophar certainly believed that no one could communicate with God as Job seemed to be doing.

Zophar concluded that God had to be punishing Job because he was wicked. Zophar reasoned that Job could not find favor with God until he had cleansed himself of his wickedness. Zophar could not bear with Job claiming that he had found favor with God, that God could cleanse Job of his sin, and that God had established a daysman between Him and Job.