Ignorance Seems Inspired to Reply   Job 20.1-3 

Why is it that those least likely to have something valid to help improve your situation seem to be so quick to have a retort?

Zophar was honest in his response to Job, even if he lacked insight. The feelings Zophar was describing in verses 1-3 were a little too complicated for him to understand so he retorted. I'm reminded of the sit-com sketches where a conversation goes beyond 'Joey' and he hesitates briefly, then puffs up and says belligerently, "Oh yeah???!"

What is to be understood from Zophar's statement?

   vs. 2) "...my disquieting thoughts make me respond..." 

The emphasis should be on the word "make" and understood as "(provoke) me (to) respond." The "disquieting" indicates a confusion and turmoil. When someone doesn't really understand what is going on or what is being meant or intended, there is an inner confusion and turmoil.  

   "...even because of my inward agitation." This "disquieting" leads to frustration.

   "I listened to the reproof which insults me." The "insult" is a perceived slight, which is common when the individual isn't certain what was actually being said, or meant.

   "...And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer." Here again the emphasis should be on "makes" as in 'provokes.' An amplification might read, "...I'm not certain what you meant by all that and so I'm irritated. I think I've been insulted and so I'm agitated and provoked to say something."

It does seem almost as though Job knew he wasn't dealing with the sharpest knives in the drawer. It also seems as though in Job's exasperation he, too, didn't care that he was showing his own frustration. It also appears that Job was at a point where he didn't care if a relationship continued between himself and these three.

I once told an individual that I didn't have the emotional energy to be his friend. Some folks sap every ounce of strength from you. On occasion I've felt the weight of the old axiom, "I'm down to my last nerve and you're on it!" (My personal warning bell is when I sense that I've lost my sense of humor.)

That is what I've understood Job to have said to these friends, although in much more philosophical terminology.

So what should our response be when someone comes back with that dunderhead "oh yeah?!" or some other retort?

As unlikely as those situations seem to be given to personal reflection, that is what we need to do. Stop yourself/myself. Why am I driving this person over the hill? To what has my own spirit reacted? Exactly what was it that has caused me to lash out and bring the other person to such bewilderment, and to make them feel threatened?

We can always do as Job and blame the other person for not understanding. We can always lay it at the door of self-defense. We can find lots of reasons for justifying our reactions but these will not bring insight in our own frustrations.

When we remain ignorant of our own susceptibilities, we will find ourselves inspired to retort.