Job 12:16

Job 12:16 (KJV) declares God's absolute supremacy and control over all aspects of existence, including human strength, wisdom, and even the moral choices of individuals. This verse is part of Job's profound discourse, where he defends God's inscrutable ways against the simplistic arguments of his friends.

Context

In Job chapters 12-14, Job responds to his friends' accusations, asserting that they lack true understanding of God's power and justice. His friends had argued that suffering was a direct result of sin, implying that Job's immense trials were proof of his wickedness. Job, however, points to God's unchallengeable power and wisdom as the ultimate explanation for events, whether understood by humans or not. He argues that God's control extends to all, even those who seem to operate outside of moral boundaries. This particular verse highlights God's dominion over both the "deceived" (those who are led astray or suffer injustice) and the "deceiver" (those who perpetrate falsehoods or evil), emphasizing that no one and no action is outside His ultimate purview. Job's aim is to remind his friends, and us, that God's ways are far above human comprehension and judgment, as he also stresses in Job 9:4.

Key Themes

• Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully conveys God's ultimate authority and sovereignty over all creation and human affairs. Nothing happens without His knowledge or permissive will. This is a foundational biblical truth, affirming that God is not merely powerful but is the supreme ruler of the universe.
• Omnipotence and Omniscience: "With him [is] strength and wisdom" underscores God's infinite power and perfect knowledge. He possesses these attributes inherently; they are not acquired but are intrinsic to His nature. This idea is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 62:11 which states that "power belongeth unto God."
• Control Over All Actions: The phrase "the deceived and the deceiver [are] his" is profound. It does not imply that God causes deception or evil, but rather that even these negative human actions and their consequences are ultimately subject to His overarching control and purposes. God's dominion is so vast that even those who deviate from truth or perpetuate falsehoods operate within His sphere of influence, and He can use or permit their actions for His own ultimate glory or to achieve His righteous ends.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "strength" ('oz) often refers to power, might, or security, while "wisdom" (chochmah) denotes skill, insight, and discernment. The phrase "the deceived and the deceiver [are] his" uses a possessive construction, indicating that both categories of people are under God's dominion or ownership in the sense that they are subject to His ultimate authority and power. This highlights God's absolute control, not just over the righteous, but over all humanity, including those who err and those who lead others astray.

Practical Application

Job 12:16 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today:

• Trust in God's Control: In a world filled with deceit, injustice, and confusion, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control. Even when we feel deceived or witness widespread deception, we can find peace knowing that God's hand is still at work, and nothing is outside His purview.
• Humility and Discernment: It calls us to humility, recognizing that our understanding of events is limited compared to God's perfect wisdom. It also encourages us to seek God's wisdom and discernment, especially when facing complex situations or discerning truth from falsehood, as advised in James 1:5.
• Hope in Justice: While God permits evil for a time, His ultimate control ensures that true justice will prevail. The fact that "the deceiver" is also "His" means that even those who perpetrate wrong will ultimately answer to Him, offering hope for eventual righteousness and accountability.