8. Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Zophar

Job 11:1 "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?"

This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eighth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Zophar, examines the words and the heart of Zophar the Naamathite, the third of Job's three friends: "Zophar enters into the discussion with an even more caustic attitude than his other two friends. No doubt he is frustrated that Job could defend himself against Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s pretend wisdom, and this has incensed him. From the moment he first speaks, neither love nor compassion compels him, but only his own unrighteous anger, a personal anger that Job could not be humbled.

"When men are not governed by love and a true desire to help those afflicted, malice and self-righteousness often fill the soul. It is also common for bitterness to enter self-righteous men when their arguments and decisions are rebutted. This seems to be the case with Zophar, as he is incensed that Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s words were easily rejected by Job and did nothing to change his opinion. Unrighteous anger fills Zophar because he thinks himself, as well as his other two friends, superior to Job. When men think themselves higher than their fellow man, especially in religious matters, then their words are dispersed with indignation. True religion is the opposite of this, for a renewed mind does not think of itself more highly than it ought. The core of men’s sin has always been the belief that they are bigger, wiser, and more virtuous than they really are.

"When men are full of themselves, they pretend to be judges for God, but in reality, He has said nothing to them at all."

This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 11:1-20, 1 Corinthians 4:5.

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