“…true wisdom has two sides.” Job 11:6b

When Zophar answered Job, his introduction was much more severe than Job’s two other friends, Eliphaz and Bildad. Zophar verbally attacked Job for his personal lament, accusing him of mocking God’s wisdom:

“Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?” (vv. 2 – 3)

Instead of understanding Job’s plight, Zophar felt the need to defend God. Many Believers do the same thing today, fracturing relationships and sowing discord among the faithful. God needs no defense, He needs those called by His name to live in a way which will point others to Him: the way of love, peace, redemption and restoration.

The Bible is so true to God’s wisdom in breathing His Word: people are shown as they really are, with their faults and their virtues – their weaknesses, as well as their strengths. No sooner had Zophar made a train-wreck of his reply than he began his defense of God by asserting the character of God’s mercy. Though Zophar’s words may contain an element of truth, his un-redemptive motives can be seen in his assertions:

“You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in Your sight.’ Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that He would open His lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.” (vv. 4 – 6)

We see Zophar’s indignation toward Job through his judgmental statement, wishing God would speak against Job for his sin. Then he makes a curious statement, declaring God’s wisdom to have two sides: condemning sin and unrighteousness, while rescuing and restoring those who call out to Him. God breathed into Zophar the heavenly nature of forgetting one’s sin (v.6c; read Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12, 10:17)!

The two sides of God’s wisdom is also seen in each of our lives: we are created with a heart to worship and honor God, yet we are prone to wander from His way. He gave us the ability to act volitionally – to be intentional in our living. For such to happen, each Believer must develop spiritual disciplines to condition her/his thinking, thus establishing a pattern of thinking which will be the compass for living. The Believer’s compass for thinking is found in God’s Word. Once thinking patterns are consistent with the precepts found in God’s Word, the issues of life one may face are less a threat to living-out one’s faith.

Have you ever fallen into the devil’s trap of judging others in your efforts to ‘defend’ God? How are you doing in the redemption area of relationships? Are you quick to discard others and trash friendships, or do you make an effort to nurture and restore them? Have your thinking patterns been disturbed recently by temptation or anger? Begin again to seek the way of good living through The Word of Truth. Spend time in The Word: the more you get into it, the more it will get into your thinking and living.

Have a blessed day…