Job 19:21-29; ; Job 20:1-29
Job’s vehemence contrasts with the cold words of his three companions. They could not offer him any help in his sufferings, but we shall soon discover that Job possessed a foundation which could not be shaken: his faith in a living Redeemer. Vv. 25-27 of ch. 19 tell us this; Job, like the other patriarchs, had received a divine revelation about the resurrection. "In my flesh shall I see God" (cf. Psalms 17:15).
How much more do we know than they did, we who can see the future in the full light of the New Testament! Nevertheless many children of God never get past the cross where they see a Saviour who has died for their sins. This is certainly priceless truth. But do we know that our Redeemer is now living (Revelation 1:18)? "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:34).
To these remarkable words of faith put into Job’s mouth by the Holy Spirit, Zophar replies with his own intelligence (v. 2). He takes up the theme of Eliphaz and Bildad (Job 15:20-25; Job 18:5-21), and enlarges on the destiny which awaits evil men, thus, indirectly and without pity, attacking his poor friend (see Proverbs 12:18).