In this chapter Zophar speaks up for the first time. Similar to Eliphaz and Bildad, he has some incorrect assumptions, but also great wisdom.
” ‘Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven[c]—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.’ ” (v7-9,13-17)
Zophar’s three main themes are:
– the circumstances / punishment we receive are less severe than we deserve
– God is infinite, and therefore beyond our capacity to fully understand
– those who have deep a love for / relationship with God will be secure and blessed
I happen to agree with these themes, and so does scripture:
– “And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this” (Ezra 9:13)
– “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” (Psa 147:5)
– “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” (Jer 17:7)
For me, the highlight of these themes is the nearness to God – I find this increasingly important in our current global state. Zophar correctly states that those who are deeply rooted in God can forget about about misery, and life can be brighter than the noonday sun.
I believe that Paul is also on the mark: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Php 4:8)
The closer we get to God and Jesus (who are the light of the world), and the more we focus on things of God, the more peace we will experience, and the brighter our outlook will be. There will still be darkness (Jesus promises we will still have troubles), but the darkness won’t seem so dark when we fill our lives with light.
I encourage us to invest our “isolation time” into deepening our relationships with God, and being lights unto the people of this dark world, so that God may be glorified. Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:14-16)
Father God, great and mighty are the works of Your hands. Thank you for bringing light into this dark world, in the form of Your Son and Your Spirit. May we learn to partner with You, hiding Your word and Spirit in our hearts, so that we may be filled with Your light. Father would you please continue to work through us, showing Your light to those around us, so You may be glorified in their eyes. All honor, glory and praise be to You, O Lord God Almighty, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training