約伯回應了比勒達之後（廿六章），該輪到瑣法發言了；但是因為他和另外的人保持緘默，約伯乃繼續對三個同伴發表意見。比勒達上回的話既簡短又反覆，約伯曾評之曰，對他毫無幫助；瑣法很可能害怕同樣的批評，因為他沒有任何新東西可以補充已經說過的話。他智慧的領域既已枯竭，又因約伯已經證明自己比他更聰明、更有知識，瑣法就沒有東西可教約伯，約伯變成獨一的教師。

        約伯以最強有最莊嚴的誓詞──「因為上帝活著」，再度堅定地宣告他是無罪的，而且天良純淨；以此讓朋友知道，他們告他有一些隱藏的罪，是完全錯了。同時，他表達自己相信上帝對他並不公正，但這一點，並未減弱他的信心。他相信，即便自己不懂上帝使他受苦的原因，上帝仍然藉著他們打擊他，以達成祂自己的目標。他經過了受苦和他朋友們的虐待，乃呼喊著：「我持定我的義，必不放鬆！」（27：6）每一個信徒都有其主動的任務，堅守自己（他或她）的義。自然，上帝是「我們信心的創始成終者」（來12：2），並且它也「不是憑著行為（或「工作」直譯，免得有人自誇。」（弗2：9）但是祂卻希望上帝兒女盡其可能的做，（以自制、意志力和決心），對主持定忠誠，順從祂的教訓；而主也應允作我們的力量。

        約伯繼續他的談話，說：偽君子和作惡的，絕無希望。先前他已誇張自己的看法，主張作惡的看不見任何報應；可是，那是在辯論的壓力之下說的。現在，用更深的省思，又在平和的空氣之下，他修正了自己的看法。約伯說，惡人可能興隆一段時間，但上帝會施懲罰，或在生前，或在死後，而他們的後代也會受到他們犯罪的果報（27：14~15）。惡人真的沒有希望，因為他們死活都沒有上帝（27：8~9）（譯：上帝是全人類共同的希望）約伯對上帝的道有一些趣味的見解，以為「惡人所定的分，強暴人所得的報」（27：13），乃是「他只管豫備（衣服，義人卻要穿上；他的銀子，無辜的人要分取」（27：17）。上帝能使用惡人的財富，賜福給義人，並為祂自己帶來榮耀。

        在廿八章，約伯繼續他有關「上帝作為」的指導（27：11）。既然約伯已經成為他朋友們關於上帝奧秘的指導者，那就證明他比那些責備他的人，更加虔誠、聰明、有知識。約伯敘述當日極為高明的冶煉技術（28：1~11），那便是上帝讓人類治理全地的證據。人們知道何處可以發現隱藏的寶藏，如黃金寶石之類；卻無人能找到智慧，它只能從上帝獲得。約伯認為智慧遠超金錢的價值，它是無價的，不可量的，也不能買賣的（28：13~19；箴3：13~18；8：11）。禮物不是買的，是送的；智慧也是上帝所賜的禮物──一種祂喜歡大方贈送的禮物。誠如雅各所述：「你們中間如有誰缺少智慧的，可以求那厚賜於人也不斥責人的上帝，就必賜給他」（雅1：5；參箴2：6；4：5~9；8：17）。

        智慧之路遠超人能領解，只有「上帝明白智慧的道路，曉得智慧的所在」（28：23），因為這是由祂來的，而祂擁有無盡的智慧。約伯解說，上帝如何使用祂的智慧創造了宇宙和自然界的定律（28：25~26；參箴3：19~20）。然後他又為人類的智慧下了一個真實和豐富的定義：敬畏上帝，遠離惡行（28：28；參箴8：12~13；9：10）。這些基本要求，是上帝對人類啟示的基礎。「敬畏」主，是尊敬並服從祂，承認只有祂是全能的，配得萬民頌讚。一個人信了這點並付諸實施，躲避邪惡，在上帝眼中便被看作聰明。

        主，我們祈求這新日子的智慧。讓我們能在您面前存真實敬畏的心；且藉著您的能力，在我們生活中，我們也確能離開眾惡。感謝您幫助我們明白這些。奉耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

English

        After Job's response to Bildad (chapter 26), it was Zophar's turn to speak, but since he and the others remained silent, Job continued his discourse, addressing all three of his companions. Bildad's last speech was short and repetitious, and Job had criticized him for not being any help; Zophar likely feared the same criticism, since he also had nothing new to add to the discussion than what he had already said. The extent of his wisdom had been exhausted, and since Job had already proven himself wise and more knowledgeable, Zophar had nothing to teach Job, and Job became the sole teacher.

        With the strongest and most solemn of oaths — "As God lives" — Job again firmly declared his innocence and pure conscience, thus showing his friends, who had accused him of some secret sin, that they were absolutely wrong. At the same time, he expressed his belief that God had not been just with him; but this did not weaken his faith. He believed that though he had been veiled from understanding the reason for his sufferings, they were still inflicted upon him by God for His own purposes. Through his sufferings and the tormenting by his friends, Job exclaimed: "My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go" (27:6). Each believer takes an active role maintaining his or her righteousness. Of course, God is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2), and it is "not of works lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:9). But He expects His children to do all they can (using self-discipline, will-power, and determination) to hold true to the Lord and follow His teachings, and the Lord has promised to be our strength.

        Job continues his discourse by saying that hypocrites and evil-doers have no hope. He had previously exaggerated his view, asserting that the wicked do not see any retribution; however, that was under the pressure of debate. Now, upon deeper reflection and in a calmer atmosphere, Job modifies his view. Job says that the wicked may prosper for a season, but God will bring punishment, either during life or after death, and their posterity will suffer the consequences of sin (27:14-15). Truly the wicked have no hope, for they live and die without God (27:8-9). Job had an interesting insight into the ways of God concerning "the portion of a wicked man... and the heritage of oppressors" (27:13): "He may pile it up [silver and clothing], but the just will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver" (27:17). God can use the wealth of the wicked to bless the righteous and bring glory to Himself.

        Job continues his instruction about "the hand of God" (27:11) in chapter twenty-eight. Since Job had become the instructor to his friends concerning the mysteries of God, it proved he was more pious, wise, and knowledgeable than they who had condemned him. Job described the various ingenious mining techniques of the day (28:1-11), which is evidence of mankind's God-given dominion over the earth. They knew where to uncover all kinds of hidden treasures, such as gold and precious stones, yet no one has been able to find wisdom; this is only received from God. Job described wisdom as beyond monetary value; it is priceless and immeasurable, and it could never be purchased (28:13-19; Proverbs 3:13-18; 8:11). A gift cannot be bought, and wisdom is a gift from God — a gift He loves to gives liberally. As James penned, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5; cf. Proverbs 2:6; 4:5-9; 8:17).

        The way of wisdom is beyond man's understanding; only "God understands its way, and He knows its place" (28:23), since it comes from Him, and He possesses infinite wisdom. Job explains how God used His wisdom in creating the universe and the laws of nature (28:25-26; cf. Proverbs 3:19-20). Then Job gives a true and profound definition of the wisdom of man: to fear the Lord and depart from evil (28:28; cf. Proverbs 8:12-13; 9:10). These basic requirements are the foundation for all God's revelations to mankind. To "fear" the Lord is to respect and obey Him, acknowledging that He alone is all-powerful and worthy to be praised. When one believes this and puts it into practice, thus shunning evil, he or she is considered wise in God's sight.

        Lord, we ask for wisdom for this new day. Grant that we may be truly respectful and reverent before You, and by Your power in our lives, we do depart from evil. Thank You for helping us to understand.