Who Really Understands God?
Today is Poetry Thursday, and we’re looking at Job 11 and 12, where emotions run high and misunderstandings run even higher. Zophar delivers a harsh rebuke, accusing Job of arrogance and empty talk. Job fires back with sarcasm and frustration, pointing out that his friends are not half as wise as they think they are. Beneath it all is the real question these chapters raise: who actually understands what God is doing?
Job is worn out, grieving his children, confused about the suffering he’s experiencing, and pushed to the edge by friends who think they have all the answers. Zophar insists that Job must be hiding sin. Job insists he’s no more sinful than anyone else. And both men speak pieces of truth mixed with emotion. These chapters remind us that suffering often brings out raw questions and honest reactions, and that God’s wisdom reaches far beyond what we can see.
Later in the episode, we take a moment to look at how these themes tie into real life. We also have an On This Date in Church History segment, and a brief highlight about the new show, Verses We Missed. Since it is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, we close with a short Thanksgiving message before I head off to family and turkey duties.
📖 Today’s Scripture
Read along at BibleGateway.
📝 Commentary
Zophar’s response in chapter 11 is blunt and overconfident. He assumes that God is punishing Job for hidden sin, even though Job never claims perfection. Job only maintains that he hasn’t done anything to deserve the overwhelming suffering he’s facing. Zophar’s certainty reveals a classic mistake: assuming we understand God’s mind and motives when we don’t.
Job’s reply in chapter 12 is sharp. He mocks their claim to wisdom by saying, “When you die, wisdom will die.” He then reminds them that God alone is the source of wisdom, authority, and power. Job still trusts God, but he is bewildered. His world has fallen apart, and his friends only add to the burden. These chapters show us that even godly people can struggle deeply with confusion, sorrow, and frustration. Job is honest, and God is big enough to handle it.
For a simple overview of Job’s dialogues, here’s a helpful page:
Why did Job’s friends get it wrong?
📣 Verses We Missed
A quick reminder that I now publish a brand new weekly show, Verses We Missed. Each episode looks at a single verse that’s easy to skip, but full of meaning when we slow down. New episodes drop Tuesdays at 10 p.m. Pacific.
Listen at VersesWeMissed.com.
📅 On This Date In Church History — November 27
Today we look at three moments that reveal how mission, media, and shared worship shape the influence of the church over time.
- 1826: The American Home Missionary Society was formed to bring pastors, discipleship, and new congregations to the growing western frontier of the United States.
- 1910: The birth of Ernest C. Wilson, an early Christian radio pioneer who helped prepare the way for ministries like Moody Radio, HCJB, and Trans World Radio.
- 1932: The first nationwide Christian Thanksgiving broadcast aired during the Great Depression, uniting churches across the nation in scripture, hymns, and prayer.
Together these moments remind us that God reaches people through mission, through media, and through shared worship across generations.
🦃 Thanksgiving Closing
Because today is Thanksgiving here in the United States, I’ll keep things brief. There’s a brined, smoked turkey with my name on it, and a whole family waiting at the table. Wherever you are today, whether you celebrate the holiday or not, I hope you find reasons to pause, breathe, and give thanks. Gratitude loosens the grip of worry and sharpens our vision of God’s goodness.
💬 Comment, Question, or Prayer Request?
I’d love to hear from you:
comment.lifespringmedia.com
Email: st***@*************ia.com
S3E039-Job 11-12: Who Really Understands God?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Who Really Understands God?
Today is Poetry Thursday, and we’re looking at Job 11 and 12, where emotions run high and misunderstandings run even higher. Zophar delivers a harsh rebuke, accusing Job of arrogance and empty talk. Job fires back with sarcasm and frustration, pointing out that his friends are not half as wise as they think they are. Beneath it all is the real question these chapters raise: who actually understands what God is doing?
Job is worn out, grieving his children, confused about the suffering he’s experiencing, and pushed to the edge by friends who think they have all the answers. Zophar insists that Job must be hiding sin. Job insists he’s no more sinful than anyone else. And both men speak pieces of truth mixed with emotion. These chapters remind us that suffering often brings out raw questions and honest reactions, and that God’s wisdom reaches far beyond what we can see.
Later in the episode, we take a moment to look at how these themes tie into real life. We also have an On This Date in Church History segment, and a brief highlight about the new show, Verses We Missed. Since it is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, we close with a short Thanksgiving message before I head off to family and turkey duties.
📖 Today’s Scripture
Read along at BibleGateway.
📝 Commentary
Zophar’s response in chapter 11 is blunt and overconfident. He assumes that God is punishing Job for hidden sin, even though Job never claims perfection. Job only maintains that he hasn’t done anything to deserve the overwhelming suffering he’s facing. Zophar’s certainty reveals a classic mistake: assuming we understand God’s mind and motives when we don’t.
Job’s reply in chapter 12 is sharp. He mocks their claim to wisdom by saying, “When you die, wisdom will die.” He then reminds them that God alone is the source of wisdom, authority, and power. Job still trusts God, but he is bewildered. His world has fallen apart, and his friends only add to the burden. These chapters show us that even godly people can struggle deeply with confusion, sorrow, and frustration. Job is honest, and God is big enough to handle it.
For a simple overview of Job’s dialogues, here’s a helpful page:
Why did Job’s friends get it wrong?
📣 Verses We Missed
A quick reminder that I now publish a brand new weekly show, Verses We Missed. Each episode looks at a single verse that’s easy to skip, but full of meaning when we slow down. New episodes drop Tuesdays at 10 p.m. Pacific.
Listen at VersesWeMissed.com.
📅 On This Date In Church History — November 27
Today we look at three moments that reveal how mission, media, and shared worship shape the influence of the church over time.
Together these moments remind us that God reaches people through mission, through media, and through shared worship across generations.
🦃 Thanksgiving Closing
Because today is Thanksgiving here in the United States, I’ll keep things brief. There’s a brined, smoked turkey with my name on it, and a whole family waiting at the table. Wherever you are today, whether you celebrate the holiday or not, I hope you find reasons to pause, breathe, and give thanks. Gratitude loosens the grip of worry and sharpens our vision of God’s goodness.
💬 Comment, Question, or Prayer Request?
I’d love to hear from you:
comment.lifespringmedia.com
Email: st***@*************ia.com