By Theodore Epp

      Job 11:1-7

      Zophar is the most dogmatic of the three. He assumes many things, based on his own intuition, or common sense, and then states his conclusion with a finality that permits no opposition.

      For Job to differ with Zophar's conclusions is proof, in Zophar's eyes, that Job is a sinner.

      Some people are like that today. They are so sure of what they say that anyone who disagrees with them calls forth their scorn or anger.

      Zophar was a legalist and a formalist. He did not understand God's character at all. He knew a certain amount of truth, but it was distorted because it was not complete.

      When men like Zophar assume what is untrue and call for repentance on the basis of their false assumptions, they only stir up anger.

      God, of course, allowed these men to use their arguments against Job. The Lord wanted to help him see that though his calamities were not the result of sin, his character needed to be refined.

      Job needed to be made humble, for he was proud. But we cannot force people to see this by sheer dogmatism on our part.

      "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." (Isa. 55:8).