Job 11:16 - for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.

Generated Verse: Job 11:16

What does "Job 11:16" mean?


This verse, Job 11:16, is part of Zophar's speech to Job. It's important to understand the context: Zophar, one of Job's friends, believes Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his sin. He's trying to encourage Job to repent, and this verse is part of his promise of what will happen if Job does so.

Let's break down the verse:

"For you shall forget your misery...": Zophar is saying that Job's current state of suffering and pain will eventually fade from his memory. He will no longer be consumed by it.
"...You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.": This is a vivid simile. Think of a rushing river that has flowed by. It was once present, perhaps even powerful and overwhelming, but now it's gone. You might remember it, but it no longer affects you directly. The memory is distant and doesn't cause the same pain it once did.

In essence, the verse promises:

Relief from suffering: Job's pain will end.
Fading memories: The trauma of his experiences will diminish over time.
A sense of distance: He'll remember the suffering, but it will feel like a distant event that no longer has a strong emotional hold on him.

Important Considerations:

Zophar's Presumption: It's crucial to remember that Zophar's words are based on his belief that suffering is always a direct result of sin. This is not the perspective of the entire book of Job. The book challenges this simplistic view.
Irony: Given what we know about Job's eventual restoration (he does get his wealth and family back), Zophar's words could be interpreted as prophetic, even though his underlying assumptions are flawed.
General truth: While the context is specific to Job, there is a general truth in the idea that time can heal and that even the most intense suffering can eventually become a distant memory.

In Summary:

Job 11:16 offers a hopeful message of eventual relief and healing from suffering. Zophar uses the image of "waters that have passed away" to convey the idea that even the most painful memories can fade and become distant with time. However, it's essential to remember the verse within the broader context of the book of Job and recognize that Zophar's words are based on his specific, and ultimately flawed, understanding of suffering.

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