Job 11: Zophar Speaks

Zophar the Naamathite answers Job harshly. He says Job's words should be answered and that God exacts less than Job's iniquity deserves. He asks whether Job can fathom the mystery of God, which is higher than heaven and deeper than Sheol. He tells Job to set his heart aright, stretch out his hands toward God, and put iniquity away, and promises that life will be clearer than noonday. Zophar assumes Job is guilty, but God later says the friends did not speak what is right (42:7).

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Bible:

Read Job 11

World English Bible · 20 verses

¹ Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Job 11 · Preschool

God Is Very Great

Name Date

Color the sun rising in the morning! God is bigger than we can know.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:7 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: God is so great that we can never know everything about Him. Job's friend Zophar said this, but he was wrong about Job.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Job 11 · Grade 4

Higher Than Heaven

Name Date

Read and Think

Zophar the Naamathite was the harshest of the three friends. He accused Job of mockery and boasting. He even said God exacts less than Job's iniquity deserves. That was not true, because God had called Job blameless.

Yet Zophar spoke a true word about God: Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? God's wisdom is high as heaven and deeper than Sheol, longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Later God Himself will show Job how far His wisdom is beyond man.

Zophar urged Job to set his heart aright, stretch out his hands toward God, and put iniquity far away. He promised that life would be clearer than the noonday and that Job would rest in safety. His promises sound hopeful, but they rested on the false idea that Job was hiding sin. God later said the friends had not spoken what is right.

Show What You Know

What harsh claim did Zophar make?
What true word did Zophar speak about God?
What did Zophar urge Job to do?
What false idea did Zophar's promises rest on?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

mysteryrestGodZophar

the Naamathite was the harshest of the three friends.
That was not true, because had called Job blameless.
Yet Zophar spoke a true word about God: Can you fathom the of God?
He promised that life would be clearer than the noonday and that Job would in safety.

Think About It

Zophar was harsh with a hurting friend. How can you correct someone gently when it is needed?
God's wisdom is higher than heaven. How does that help you trust Him when you do not understand?

Memory Verse

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:7 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being bigger than I can understand. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you stay humble when you feel sure you are right?
How can you keep from being harsh when you disagree?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Job 11 · Grade 5

The Limits of the Almighty

Name Date

Read and Think

Zophar the Naamathite enters the debate with impatience. Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? He accuses Job of claiming, My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes. Zophar wishes God would speak and show Job the secrets of wisdom, and he adds a cruel claim: Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves. The reader knows this is false.

Zophar's best words concern God's greatness. Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Ironically, Zophar does not apply this truth to himself. If God's ways cannot be fathomed, Zophar cannot be sure he knows why Job suffers.

Zophar ends with a call to repentance: If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. He promises that life will be clearer than the noonday, and though there is darkness, it will be as the morning. Repentance is good counsel for sinners, but Zophar misjudges Job. In Job 42:7 God says the friends have not spoken of Him what is right, as His servant Job has.

Show What You Know

What does Zophar accuse Job of claiming?
What cruel claim does Zophar make?
How does Zophar describe the limits of the Almighty?
What is ironic about Zophar's words on God's mystery?
What does Zophar promise if Job repents?

Crossword

Across

broader than the ____
You will be secure, because there is ____

Down

Can you fathom the ____ of God
They are high as ____
The Naamathite who spoke third

Think About It

Zophar spoke of God's mystery but acted as if he knew everything. How can humility shape the way you speak about God's ways?
Zophar's harsh words added to Job's pain. How can you make your words a help to someone who is hurting?

Memory Verse

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:7 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being bigger than I can understand. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What can you say to a friend in pain instead of easy promises?
How can we speak about God's greatness with humility?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Job 11: Zophar Speaks

Read Job 11

Worksheets

God Is Very Great

Prayer

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Morning Light

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

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Zophar Talks

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Zophar Speaks

Prayer

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Zophar's Words

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

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Can You Fathom God?

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Zophar Speaks

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Higher Than Heaven

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

The Limits of the Almighty

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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