Job 11:17

And thine age shalbe clearer then the noone day; thou shalt shine foorth, thou shalt be as the morning. Job 11:17 (KJV)

Job 11:17 is a verse from the book of Job, which belongs to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The book of Job explores the themes of suffering, faith, and the nature of God’s justice. It tells the story of Job, a righteous man who endures immense suffering and wrestles with questions of why he is experiencing such hardship.

In this chapter, Job’s friend Zophar is responding to Job’s laments and arguments, attempting to provide an explanation for his suffering. He says, “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.”

“the eyes of the wicked shall fail” – Zophar contrasts Job’s situation with the fate of the wicked, suggesting that those who are wicked will ultimately come to ruin and their vision or understanding will fail. This implies that the wicked will lose the ability to see or comprehend truth.

“and they shall not escape” – Zophar emphasizes the impending judgment on the wicked, indicating that they will not be able to escape the consequences of their actions. This is presented as a general statement about God’s justice and the accountability of the wicked.

“and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost” – Zophar concludes that the hope of the wicked will be like the act of dying or expiring. The metaphor suggests that their hope will be utterly futile and will ultimately lead to disappointment and despair.

It is important to note that while Zophar’s words contain some truth about divine justice, his application of those truths to Job is incorrect. The narrative later reveals that Job is innocent and righteous, and God rebukes Zophar for his unfounded accusations.

Throughout the book of Job, Job’s friends try to offer explanations for his suffering based on their limited understanding of God’s ways. However, God later rebukes them for their inadequate explanations and defends Job’s righteousness. Overall, Job 11:17 highlights the belief in divine justice and the ultimate consequences that await the wicked, while also urging readers to read the verse in the context of the entire book to grasp the complexities of suffering, faith, and God’s sovereignty in the face of human suffering.