Job 11:2-3

2 Should not the multitude [rob] of words [dabar] be answered [`anah]? and should a man ['iysh] full of talk [saphah] be justified [tsadaq]?

3 Should thy lies [bad] make [charash] men [math] hold their peace [charash]? and when thou mockest [la`ag], shall no man make thee ashamed [kalam]? KJV-Interlinear

2 'Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted? 3 'Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke? NASB

Zophar approaches Job as one who has been personally offended. When a person has no real argument, then they will tend to make things up, superimposing made up facts onto their target, even deflecting their victims arguments back onto them.

And so the one who originally came to comfort, has become the one who would convict.

Zophar did not accuse Job of telling lies, but the use of the word, 'bad,' carries the connotation of speaking with empty talk. As in someone talking, talk, talk, talk, talk, and really saying nothing.

But before we move forward, here is a review from chapter two, of Jobs affliction.

Inflamed, ulcerous sores (Job 2:7), itching (v. 8), degenerative changes in facial skin (vv. 7,12), loss of appetite (3:24), depression (3:24-25), loss of strength (6:11), worms in the boils (7:5), running sores (7:5), difficulty in breathing (9:18), darkness under the eyes (16:16), foul breath (19:17), loss of weight (19:20; 33:21), continual pain (30:17), restlessness (30:27), blackened skin (30:30), peeling skin (30:30), and fever (30:30).

Job was not a pretty sight. He was in a really bad way, such that when his friends first arrived, they began a seven day death wait vigil, fully expecting Job to fall over at any moment.

But Job, despite his situation, is able to articulate better than most healthy people.

Yet Zophar accuses Job of speaking empty words and mocking reasonable thinking people. After all, Job is obviously guilty. Just look at his symptoms. Who in history, as this is implied, has ever suffered such an illness?

When someone is sick, they sometimes can't help their condition, so they can become frustrated and irritable. Pressing them into an argument helps nothing. Most folks will just let them rave on and sort of ignore their complaints while looking for positive things to change the conversation to.

'Oh, my back hurts, my head hurts, this hurts and that hurts. There is nothing on television.' And so forth.

'How about a different pillow. Want the window opened up a little more. How about something cold to drink.'

But Zophar jumps right into the thick of it. 'Oh shut up and quit complaining. You're guilty and we all know it. So can it. Are we supposed to just sit here and listen to your belly aching?'

A comforting approach!

Now is the time to post a prayer.