Job 11:1

1 Then answered [`anah] Zophar [Tsowphar] the Naamathite [Na`amathiy], and said ['amar], KJV-Interlinear

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, NASB

Zophar is the third of the three friends mentioned in chapter two. His name means 'to leave,' or 'chirping' or 'to leap.' His home, is uncertain as to its location, however Naamah was a place to the west of Arabia, near the location of the future Judah. So he may have lived to the west of Job.

Just as his home is of an unknown location, so too his opinion will be from unknown sources. In the broad picture, you will wonder just how he got his reasoning. The idea is, 'Where did that come from?'

He is the most impulsive and inflexible of the three friends, and he will speak only twice. His words are intense and are somewhat reckless exaggerations. He will be the first to accuse Job of wickedness. Like the rest of the friends, Zophar promises peace and restoration on condition of Jobs repentance.

Given the meanings of his name, Zophar will seem disinterested in what Job has to say. Likewise, Zophar seems little interested in the details of truth concerning Jobs situation.

As far as the three friends go, Zophar will be the most liberal minded, in that he will not listen, but will rigidly hold fast to his own opinions no matter what.

Eliphaz began with a very modest approach toward Job, Bildad was a little more rough, but Zophar will fall on him without mercy.

When friends are in need of sympathy, harsh words of condemnation are generally out of line.

It doesn't matter what they did or did not do to get themselves into their fix. Often times we make our own problems, or are the victims of the errors of others, or of just plain bad luck, but no matter.

Remember that life is unfair, and the world unyielding to us all. What may be another's predicament today, may very well be our own tomorrow. So boasting, or feeling safe or glad that it is not us, could be an attitude that is short lived.

All sorts of folks overestimate their own goodness. All sorts of folks take themselves too seriously. In this they will argue until they are blue in the face, never once considering that they might be wrong. And, they will vehemently defend their beliefs regardless of the facts of a matter.

Zophar assumes that Job is guilty of this very attitude. He has heard the complaints of Job. He has heard the arguments of the first two friends, and instead of considering all that has been said and trying to sort this all out, or better yet, instead of taking an entirely different approach with Job, Zophar just doesn't listen.

He will take up a vehement posture against Job.

He had come to visit Job originally to bring encouragement, and instead, he will pursue a course of subjective judging of Job, and try to save Job through verbal condemnation.

But by now we should all know that guilt or innocence are irrelevant, when it comes to social relationships.

Now is the time to post a prayer.