第三個對約伯說話的所謂「朋友」，名叫瑣法，可能是最年輕的。他是三人之中，最厲害而頑固的。聽完了以利法和比勒達的說話，以及約伯的回應之後，瑣法就衝入他言論的核心。他直接責罵約伯虛妄的談話、假冒為善、不義；但是這些控訴皆難證明。他以為他很聰明，並且對上帝有許多知識。他的話似乎在暗示，上帝已啟示他神聖智慧的奧秘，他希望上帝也能一樣地告訴約伯。（11：6上）。

        和其他的商談者一樣，瑣法也相信約伯的苦難，是他犯罪的結果。另外兩人相信約伯的受苦，和他的犯罪成正比，但是瑣法竟然厲害到宣告約伯所受的苦，還不如他的壞行為呢！約伯曾經希望上帝會為他辯護，但是瑣法竟冷酷地希望上帝能控訴他（11：5~6）。

        雖然瑣法對上帝有一些錯誤的想法，他卻也漂亮地表達了一些上帝的真理，諸如祂的智慧，偉大，和全智。看到這些人，包括約伯，在沒有聖經的年代，竟然對上帝有如此深刻的知識，真是令人驚異！這也是一個明證：歷史上的每一個時代，上帝總不會不為祂自己留下一些見證人。

        瑣法的優越感，傲慢，甚至對約伯的譏嘲，顯示出他在暗示約伯無知。瑣法說，一個笨人（「腦袋空空」）要變成聰明，就像是要一隻驢生出人來一樣地不可能（11：12）。就算瑣法說話客氣一點，鼓勵約伯悔改的，約伯也不能接受；因為這些都不能用在他的景況下。可是，瑣法也說了一些好的，真的論點，關乎悔罪之後，可得的祝福和獎賞：他可以無畏懼、無羞慚地面對世界，忘記失望和黑暗的過去；這些東西，都在明光之下吞沒──另外還有安全、希望和恩惠（11：15~19）。

        約伯開始用諷刺的語句回應：顯示他對這三位朋友的憤怒。因為他們自以為是最聰明的人，能回答約伯的問題。由約伯的說話，很清楚地，這三個人（特別是瑣法），不但氣他、嘲笑他，而且還深深地用他們不公正的責罵和影射傷害他。這全是由於他們誤會約伯和上帝的策略造成的。

        約伯雄辯而豐富的言語，證明他對上帝的智慧和知識不比這三個人低。事實上，他認為他們的知識，只是平常（12：3），而他們的智慧，毫無價值。因為他們攻擊約伯的理由薄弱，推理貧乏，而且診斷錯誤（13：4~5，12）。並且，約伯警告，他們該為這些事情向上帝負責（13：9~10）。約伯有擔當地表示，雖然他從上帝那裡受了苦，他仍然是無辜的。這給他引入一個新而立即的結論：好人受苦，壞人興隆，是有可能的。

        天地間不論發生何事，約伯總相信上帝在控制著，而且真正有最高的統治權柄。約伯強調，不管什麼事，都是源自上帝破壞的能力和放任的性情。這一點反映了他的痛苦和窘境，及可悲的遭遇，但是約伯仍然沒有咒詛上帝。

        因為約伯相信他的無辜，且不是偽君子；所以他決定冒險直接到上帝面前述說自己的案件；即使死了也不後悔。不過，約伯相信上帝會公正而富於同情的，故曰：上帝「將是我的拯救」，而到祂那裡避難。他已經發現，在他「朋友」那裡，找不到避難所和安慰詞的。

        約伯訴求，如果他能得到應允，給予公正的審判，他不會向上帝隱藏自己（13：20），像亞當充滿羞慚所做的一般。他祈求上帝要他心中無畏，然後才能自由地向祂陳說。因為約伯希望明白真理，接著便向上帝問了許多問題。

        主，我們也像約伯，需要您對我們說話，而且您已經在您的聖經中，又藉著聖靈說了話了。幫助我們小心地聽您的話，並且藉著您聖靈的教導，得以明白。奉生命之道的名，我們的主耶穌同聲祈求。阿們。

English

        The third so-called "friend" to speak to Job was Zophar, who was likely the youngest. He was the most harsh and dogmatic of the three. After listening to the words of Eliphaz and Bildad, and the responses of Job, Zophar rushed into the main points of his speech. He directly rebuked Job for his empty words, hypocrisy, and iniquity, yet Zophar's accusations were without proof. He thought he was wise and had much knowledge about God. His words seem to imply that God had revealed to him the secrets of His wisdom, and he wished that God would show them to Job as well (ll:6a).

        Like the other counsellors, Zophar believed that Job's suffering was as a result of his sin. The other two believed that Job's suffering was in proportion to his sin, but Zophar went so far as to claim that what Job was going through was less than his iniquity deserved. Job had wished that God would vindicate him, but Zophar coldly wished that God would accuse him (11:5-6).

        Although Zophar had some wrong ideas about God, he did express beautifully some truths about God, such as His wisdom, greatness, and omniscience. It is amazing to see the knowledge these men, including Job, had about God, even though at this time there was no written scripture. This is evidence that throughout every age, God did not leave Himself without a witness.

        Zophar's air of superiority, impudence, and even mockery of Job was expressed by his implication of Job's ignorance. Zophar said it was just as impossible for a donkey to give birth to a man as it would be for an ignorant ("empty-headed") man to become wise (11:12). Even Zophar's kinder words, encouraging Job to repent, were not accepted by Job, because they did not apply to his situation. However, Zophar made some good and true points about the blessed results and rewards for repentance of sin: one can face the world without fear or shame, forgetting the despair and darkness of the past, which would be swallowed up in the bright light, as well as having security, hope, and favour (11:15-19).

        Job began his response on a note of sarcasm, showing his resentment toward the three men for thinking they were the wisest men with the answers for Job's problems. From Job's words, it is clear that these men (especially Zophar) had not only angered and mocked him, but they had deeply hurt him by their unjustified rebukes and insinuations, all stemming from their misunderstanding of Job and the ways of God.

        Job's eloquent and profound words proved that he was not inferior to the three men in wisdom and knowledge of God. In fact, he explained that their knowledge was common (12:3) and their wisdom worthless, for they had a weak case against him, poor reasoning, and a wrong diagnosis (13:4-5, 12) for which, Job warned, they would have to answer to God (13:9-10). Job maintained that although he was experiencing suffering from God, he was still innocent, which led him to a new and radical conclusion: it is possible for the righteous to suffer and the wicked to prosper (12:4-6).

        Whatever happened in the universe, Job believed that God was in control and truly sovereign. Job's emphasis, however, was God's destructive power and arbitrary nature. This is reflective of Job's bitterness and frustration with his miserable situation, yet Job still did not curse God.

        Since Job believed he was innocent and not a hypocrite, he decided to take the risk and speak his case directly before God, even if it meant his death. Job, however, was confident that God would be just and compassionate, saying God "shall be my salvation", so he went to Him for refuge. He could find no refuge or comfort from his "friends".

        Job pleaded that if he could be granted a fair trial, he would not hide himself from God (13:20), as did Adam who was filled with shame. He asked God to make him unafraid, so he might speak freely to Him; for Job longed to learn the truth and thus asked God many questions.

        Lord, like Job, we need You to speak to us and You have spoken in "Your Holy Word and by Your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen carefully to Your Word and understand by the teaching of Your Spirit. In the Name of the Living Word, our Lord Jesus, we pray.