Explanation: Job 11 contains Zophar's accusations that Job was an immoral fool. Like Job, the clown ("fool") in the painting above feels a sense of isolation, though moments before he had been able to share in the enjoyment of those in the background who are still in good spirits. In a similar and harsher way, the severity of Zophar's words would have heightened Job's sense of isolation from his friends -- isolation of which Job had complained several times in the preceding chapters.
     [THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Job 12; Job 13; Job 14].
     [CHRONOLOGY: General. Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2; Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3.].
     [MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5.].
     Zophar was the third of Job's friends to reply against Job. His accusations are of two sorts: Job is a fool; and Job is wicked. The previous two friends who spoke to Job, Eliphaz and Bildad, reasoned by analogy to make their points, offering typical examples of the kinds of things which happen to sinners who commit various kinds of sins. Zophar does little of that. Instead, he makes accusations without evidence. In terms of logic, he begs the question (1). Zophar begins by saying that Job is full of talk and is a liar and a mocker. He wishes that God would speak and teach Job wisdom and show Job how impure is his doctrine and how unclean he is. Job would then know that God has punished him far less than his iniquity deserves (2-6). Zophar then notes that Job cannot understand God to perfection. Such knowledge is higher than heaven, deeper than hell, longer than the earth, and broader than the sea (7-9). Furthermore, says Zophar, God is irresistibly strong; he cuts off, shuts up, or gathers together, and no one can hinder him. And he is wise. He knows who is vain. He knows who is wicked (10-11). Vainly man tries to be wise although he is born like a wild donkey's colt (isolated from wisdom as the colt is from civilization; or as isolated from wisdom as is a beast). [The ESV translates this verse in the following, striking manner: "But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!"]. The import of Zophar's metaphor is that man does not have the capacity for wisdom (12). However, says Zophar, if Job would appeal to God and put away his iniquity and wickedness, he would then be able to be confident, steadfast, and unafraid. He would forget his misery, live his latter years in light -- securely, hopefully, and restfully. He would be unafraid; and many would court his favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; they will not escape; and their hope will perish (13-20).

     ¹³ If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; ¹⁴ If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. ¹⁵ For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: ¹⁶ Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: ¹⁷ And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. ¹⁸ And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. ¹⁹ Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. ²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

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