Job 12:20 - He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.
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What does "Job 12:20" mean?
Job 12:20, "He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders," is part of a broader statement by Job challenging the conventional wisdom of his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). In context, Job is arguing that God's power and wisdom are so vast and unpredictable that they often defy human understanding.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its possible meanings:
"He removes the speech of those who are trusted": This suggests that God can silence those who are normally considered reliable advisors or leaders. Their ability to influence others or offer sound counsel is taken away. This could happen through:
Humiliation: God might expose their flaws or errors, undermining their credibility.
Circumstances: God might put them in a situation where their usual wisdom is irrelevant or ineffective.
Physical/Mental incapacity: God could afflict them with illness or old age, diminishing their capacity to speak clearly and persuasively.
"And takes away the understanding of the elders": Elders in ancient Near Eastern societies were respected for their experience, wisdom, and ability to interpret events. This part of the verse implies that even those seasoned with age and knowledge are not immune to God's power. God can cloud their judgment or reveal that their long-held beliefs are flawed.
Overall, the verse conveys the following ideas:
1. God's Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes God's absolute control. He is not bound by human expectations or social norms. He can act in ways that seem counterintuitive or even unjust from a human perspective.
2. Limits of Human Wisdom: Job is challenging the notion that human wisdom, especially the wisdom of the elders or those in positions of authority, is always reliable. He suggests that even the most experienced and respected individuals can be mistaken or misled by God.
3. Unpredictability of God's Actions: Job suggests that God's actions are not always easy to understand. He can confound the wise and undermine those who are considered trustworthy.
In the context of the Book of Job:
Job is using this statement to argue that his suffering doesn't necessarily mean he is guilty of some great sin, as his friends are implying. He argues that God's ways are mysterious, and suffering can come upon anyone, even the righteous. He's basically saying, "You think you understand how God works, but even the wise and trusted are sometimes wrong. My suffering doesn't prove I'm a terrible sinner."
Possible interpretations and applications:
Humility: The verse reminds us to be humble in our own understanding and to recognize that God's wisdom is far greater than our own.
Trust in God: Even when we don't understand God's ways, we can trust that He is ultimately in control and working for His purposes.
Challenge to Authority: It encourages us to question conventional wisdom and to be wary of those who claim to have all the answers. We shouldn't blindly follow authority figures, but seek truth for ourselves.
Compassion: It can foster compassion for those who are suffering, even if we don't understand the reasons for their suffering.
In conclusion, Job 12:20 is a powerful statement about the sovereignty of God, the limits of human wisdom, and the importance of humility and trust in the face of suffering.
Job 12:20 - He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.
What does "Job 12:20" mean?
Job 12:20, "He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders," is part of a broader statement by Job challenging the conventional wisdom of his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). In context, Job is arguing that God's power and wisdom are so vast and unpredictable that they often defy human understanding.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its possible meanings:
"He removes the speech of those who are trusted": This suggests that God can silence those who are normally considered reliable advisors or leaders. Their ability to influence others or offer sound counsel is taken away. This could happen through:
Humiliation: God might expose their flaws or errors, undermining their credibility.
Circumstances: God might put them in a situation where their usual wisdom is irrelevant or ineffective.
Physical/Mental incapacity: God could afflict them with illness or old age, diminishing their capacity to speak clearly and persuasively.
"And takes away the understanding of the elders": Elders in ancient Near Eastern societies were respected for their experience, wisdom, and ability to interpret events. This part of the verse implies that even those seasoned with age and knowledge are not immune to God's power. God can cloud their judgment or reveal that their long-held beliefs are flawed.
Overall, the verse conveys the following ideas:
1. God's Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes God's absolute control. He is not bound by human expectations or social norms. He can act in ways that seem counterintuitive or even unjust from a human perspective.
2. Limits of Human Wisdom: Job is challenging the notion that human wisdom, especially the wisdom of the elders or those in positions of authority, is always reliable. He suggests that even the most experienced and respected individuals can be mistaken or misled by God.
3. Unpredictability of God's Actions: Job suggests that God's actions are not always easy to understand. He can confound the wise and undermine those who are considered trustworthy.
In the context of the Book of Job:
Job is using this statement to argue that his suffering doesn't necessarily mean he is guilty of some great sin, as his friends are implying. He argues that God's ways are mysterious, and suffering can come upon anyone, even the righteous. He's basically saying, "You think you understand how God works, but even the wise and trusted are sometimes wrong. My suffering doesn't prove I'm a terrible sinner."
Possible interpretations and applications:
Humility: The verse reminds us to be humble in our own understanding and to recognize that God's wisdom is far greater than our own.
Trust in God: Even when we don't understand God's ways, we can trust that He is ultimately in control and working for His purposes.
Challenge to Authority: It encourages us to question conventional wisdom and to be wary of those who claim to have all the answers. We shouldn't blindly follow authority figures, but seek truth for ourselves.
Compassion: It can foster compassion for those who are suffering, even if we don't understand the reasons for their suffering.
In conclusion, Job 12:20 is a powerful statement about the sovereignty of God, the limits of human wisdom, and the importance of humility and trust in the face of suffering.