ZOPHAR THE ACCUSER
[GOD TURNS EVERY ADVERSE SITUATION TO THE ADVANTAGE OF HIS CHILD]

Job 11:1-7 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

When everything was going fine and when Job was happy with his children in his prosperity, adversity fell upon him greatly beyond his expectations.  In spite of falling into severe crisis and losing his own children and wealth, Job never cursed God, nor did he stop worshipping him.  Every body around him started accusing him and cursing him saying he was reaping the fruit of his own doing.  They all accused him of being hypocrite and was being punished for his sins.  In these circumstances, Job needed comfort and solace from his friends.  He had three good friends in his prosperity.  Friends usually share the problems and help a person in trouble.  Here, in Job's case all of his three friends accused him when he was struck with pain and sickness.  He had three friends namely Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, who in times of Job's trouble and sorrow, did not prove worth the word, friend, but were most disappointing to him with their accusations and hurling insults.  Eliphaz was modest in accusations, as we see in Chapter 4:2.  Bildad was a little more rash in his words as we see in Chapter 8:2. But worst of all, Zophar comes upon him as if he was filled with vengeance, without mercy, and talks to him in a very bad language. He asks Job, "Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? " 

Zophar may have known God to certain extent, but he did not know God’s plans and ways of dealing with his people. He accused Job of his dependence on God and the worship he rendered to Him.  Zophar's understanding of God and His ways was distorted.  People like Zophar hurl insults on others, stir up God’s anger, and accuse friends of depending on God in all circumstances. Zophar spoke nothing good but hurled accusations that he was hypocrite, sinful, and, therefore, he received punishment that was far too less than what Job deserved, from God.   Nevertheless God used these men to come out against Job with their arguments, which led Job to realize that he needed refinement of his character and be humble. Many times God uses such people against God’s children. God knew that the calamities brought upon Job were not the result of his sin, yet He used these men against Job, because He wanted to refine Job’s character. Yes! Job needed to be made humble, for he was proud. 

David also felt the pain of having a friend and facing problems, as we read, in Psalms 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me". This reference is aimed at Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus Christ.  Even though Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was for our justification of sins, and remission of our sins.

Are we in a similar situation today. Let us remember that God’s uses accusers and strangers against us to refine our character. He uses them to humble us, because we are proud. He uses them to realize that we need do depend upon Him for everything.