I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. I am a laughingstock to my friends,Job grieves that those closest to him now treat him with contempt. Once honored in his community, he has become an object of ridicule because of his suffering.
Job 16:20 My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God.
Job 17:2 Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze…
Job 30:1 “But now they mock me, men younger than I am”…
though I called on God, and He answered. Job remembers the days when he sought God and received help, making God’s present silence and his friends’ scorn even more painful.
Psa 138:3 On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me…
Psa 118:5 In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered…
Psa 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me…
The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. Job rejects the claim that suffering proves guilt. His integrity remains, yet he is mocked, exposing the failure of his friends’ belief that hardship always reveals hidden sin.
Lam 3:14 I am a laughingstock to all my people; they mock me in song…
Psa 22:7 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:
Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows…
Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the justice of God. 2. Job's FriendsEliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting his suffering is due to sin. 3. GodThe Almighty, whom Job calls upon in his distress. Job maintains his faith in God despite his suffering and the accusations of his friends. 4. The Land of UzThe setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. 5. The Event of Job's SufferingJob's trials, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health, serve as the backdrop for his lament and dialogue with his friends. Teaching Points The Reality of Misunderstood RighteousnessEven the righteous can be misunderstood and mocked by those closest to them. Job's experience reminds us that human judgment is often flawed. Faithfulness Amidst TrialsJob's unwavering faith, despite his friends' accusations, teaches us the importance of maintaining our integrity and trust in God during difficult times. The Role of Friends in SufferingJob's friends intended to comfort but ended up causing more pain. This highlights the need for sensitivity and wisdom when supporting others in their trials. God's Sovereignty and JusticeJob's account encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem unjust or incomprehensible. The Value of PerseveranceJob's perseverance is a testament to the strength found in enduring faith, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their own trials. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's experience as a "laughingstock" challenge our understanding of suffering and righteousness? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are supportive and compassionate friends to those who are suffering, rather than judgmental like Job's friends? 3. How can Job's response to his trials inspire us to maintain our faith in God during our own difficult times? 4. What does Job's account teach us about the nature of God's justice and timing, especially when we face situations that seem unfair? 5. How can we apply the lessons of perseverance from Job's life to our own spiritual journey, particularly in the face of trials and tribulations? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 22This psalm, often associated with the suffering of Christ, echoes the theme of being mocked and scorned despite righteousness, similar to Job's experience. 1 Peter 4:12-14Peter speaks about the fiery trials believers face and the blessing of suffering for righteousness, paralleling Job's situation. James 5:11James references Job as an example of perseverance and the Lord's compassion and mercy, highlighting the ultimate purpose and outcome of Job's trials. People JobPlaces UzTopics Answereth, Blameless, Calleth, Cause, Derided, Derision, Friend, Friends, Innocent, Joke, Laughed, Laughing, Laughingstock, Laughing-stock, Laughter, Makes, Mere, Mocked, Neighbor, Neighbour, Perfect, Prayer, Righteous, Scorn, Seems, Sport, Though, Upright, WrongDictionary of Bible Themes Job 12:4 5880 humour
8817 ridicule, objects of Job 12:1-6 5945 self-pity Library Whether, for Salvation, it is Necessary to Believe Anything which is Beyond Natural Reason
Whether, for Salvation, it is Necessary to Believe Anything which is Beyond Natural Reason We proceed to the third article thus: 1. It seems that for salvation it is not necessary to believe anything which is beyond natural reason. For it seems that what naturally belongs to a thing is sufficient for its salvation and perfection. Now the things of faith are beyond natural reason, since they are unseen, as was said in Q. 1, Art. 4. To believe in them is therefore unnecessary for salvation. 2. Again, …
Aquinas—Nature and GraceWhether the Eternal Law is Known to All?
Objection 1: It would seem that the eternal law is not known to all. Because, as the Apostle says (1 Cor. 2:11), "the things that are of God no man knoweth, but the Spirit of God." But the eternal law is a type existing in the Divine mind. Therefore it is unknown to all save God alone. Objection 2: Further, as Augustine says (De Lib. Arb. i, 6) "the eternal law is that by which it is right that all things should be most orderly." But all do not know how all things are most orderly. Therefore all …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Necessary for Salvation to Believe Anything Above the Natural Reason?
Objection 1: It would seem unnecessary for salvation to believe anything above the natural reason. For the salvation and perfection of a thing seem to be sufficiently insured by its natural endowments. Now matters of faith, surpass man's natural reason, since they are things unseen as stated above ([2281]Q[1], A[4]). Therefore to believe seems unnecessary for salvation. Objection 2: Further, it is dangerous for man to assent to matters, wherein he cannot judge whether that which is proposed to him …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Prudence is in us by Nature?
Objection 1: It would seem that prudence is in us by nature. The Philosopher says that things connected with prudence "seem to be natural," namely "synesis, gnome" [*{synesis} and {gnome}, Cf. [2754]FS, Q[57], A[6]] and the like, but not those which are connected with speculative wisdom. Now things belonging to the same genus have the same kind of origin. Therefore prudence also is in us from nature. Objection 2: Further, the changes of age are according to nature. Now prudence results from age, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether There is Knowledge [*Scientia]?
Objection 1: It seems that in God there is not knowledge. For knowledge is a habit; and habit does not belong to God, since it is the mean between potentiality and act. Therefore knowledge is not in God. Objection 2: Further, since science is about conclusions, it is a kind of knowledge caused by something else which is the knowledge of principles. But nothing is caused in God; therefore science is not in God. Objection 3: Further, all knowledge is universal, or particular. But in God there is no …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Derision Can be a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that derision cannot be a mortal sin. Every mortal sin is contrary to charity. But derision does not seem contrary to charity, for sometimes it takes place in jest among friends, wherefore it is known as "making fun." Therefore derision cannot be a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, the greatest derision would appear to be that which is done as an injury to God. But derision is not always a mortal sin when it tends to the injury of God: else it would be a mortal sin to relapse …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Craftiness is a Special Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that craftiness is not a special sin. For the words of Holy Writ do not induce anyone to sin; and yet they induce us to be crafty, according to Prov. 1:4, "To give craftiness [Douay: 'subtlety'] to little ones." Therefore craftiness is not a sin. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Prov. 13:16): "The crafty [Douay: 'prudent'] man doth all things with counsel." Therefore, he does so either for a good or for an evil end. If for a good end, there is no sin seemingly, and …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. For it is written (Ecclus. 48:14) that after death the body of Eliseus prophesied, and further on (Ecclus. 49:18) it is said of Joseph that "his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied." Now no knowledge remains in the body or in the bones after death. Therefore prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. Objection 2: Further, it is written (1 Cor. 14:3): "He that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification." Now speech …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica On the Interior Man
The interior man is the rational soul; in the apostle: have in your hearts, in the interior man, Christ through faith. [Eph. 3:16] His head is Christ; in the apostle: the head of the man is Christ. [I Cor. 11:3] The crown of the head is the height of righteousness; in Solomon: for the crown of your head has received the crown of grace. The same in a bad part: the crown of hairs having walked about in their own delights, that is, in the height of iniquity. [Prov. 4:9; Ps. 67(68):22(21)] The hair is …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 12:4 NIVJob 12:4 NLTJob 12:4 ESVJob 12:4 NASBJob 12:4 KJV
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