Read & explore together
Job Presents His Case
Job answers people who speak as if they have settled everything. He says their claims are not special, then points to suffering, creation and rulers to show that God’s wisdom and power reach beyond human certainty.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is Job’s reply in a wisdom dialogue. He answers others who have spoken confidently about his situation. In these verses, Job challenges their tone, notes what he sees in the world, and describes God’s rule over life, nature, leaders and nations.
Job 12:1–25Main takeaway
Job shows that human wisdom has limits, while God’s wisdom and power extend over every living thing and every level of human rule.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Job answers their confidenceJob begins with sharp irony. His companions speak as if wisdom belongs to them, but Job says he also has understanding and is not inferior.
Explanation
Job begins with sharp irony. His companions speak as if wisdom belongs to them, but Job says he also has understanding and is not inferior. He adds that a blameless man who called on God can become a joke, while people at ease may treat misfortune with contempt.
02A hard fact Job will not ignoreJob points to a troubling reality. He says robbers prosper and those who provoke God are secure.
Explanation
Job points to a troubling reality. He says robbers prosper and those who provoke God are secure. This does not solve the problem, but it shows why simple speeches about suffering do not satisfy him. What he sees does not fit neat human conclusions.
03Creation teaches God’s ruleJob tells his hearers to learn from animals, birds, earth and fish. All of them show that Yahweh’s hand has done this.
04From tested words to God’s wisdomJob says words should be tested, as food is tasted. He briefly acknowledges the usual link between age and wisdom and long life and understanding.
05God overturns what people trustJob lists many examples of God’s power. He breaks down, withholds waters, and sends them out.
Explanation
Job lists many examples of God’s power. He breaks down, withholds waters, and sends them out. He can humble counsellors, judges, kings, priests, princes and whole nations. He also brings hidden things to light and leaves leaders wandering in darkness.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What is Job challenging in the words, 'wisdom will die with you'?
02Why does Job mention that robbers prosper and those who provoke God are secure?
Use this verse to see why Job does not accept a simple link between suffering and guilt.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 12:1–25
1Then Job answered,
2“No doubt, but you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?
4I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.
5In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.
6The tents of robbers prosper. Those who provoke God are secure, who carry their god in their hands.
7“But ask the animals now, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
8Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will declare to you.
9Who doesn’t know that in all these, Yahweh’s hand has done this,
10in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?
11Doesn’t the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?
12With aged men is wisdom, in length of days understanding.
13“With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.
14Behold, he breaks down, and it can’t be built again. He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.
15Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
16With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.
18He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.
19He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.
20He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.
21He pours contempt on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong.
22He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
23He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.
24He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25They grope in the dark without light. He makes them stagger like a drunken man.