Zophar (Priest)
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Sparrow
- Zophar צופר - 'exchange of righteousness צ clarified ו by the young bull פר'; the work of the priest.
Zophar as the Voice of the Priest: Speaking to Christ (Job as Jesus)
If Job represents Christ, then Zophar speaks as the voice of the Priest—one of the four voices of God (Prophet, Judge, Priest, King,). The priestly voice is concerned with purification, holiness, and atonement. However, like the other voices, Zophar misunderstands the nature of Christ’s suffering and applies his words wrongly.
Zophar as the Voice of the Priest
- He insists Job (Christ) must be guilty (Job 11:4-6). → “You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in Your sight.’ Oh, how I wish that God would speak… and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom.” → The priestly voice seeks to purify, yet Zophar assumes Jesus’ suffering means He must have sin. → This mirrors how the priests of Jesus' day accused Him of blasphemy (Matthew 26:63-65).
- He calls for repentance (Job 11:13-15). → “If you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him… then, free of fault, you will lift up your face.” → This reflects the priestly role of intercession, but Zophar wrongly assumes Christ must repent. → Jesus, the true High Priest, was pure and interceded for others instead (Hebrews 7:26-27).
- He describes the fate of the wicked (Job 20). → Zophar says the wicked will be swallowed up in judgment, their riches taken, and their pleasure turned to bitterness. → This is ironic because Christ willingly took on this fate, though He was innocent (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- He proclaims restoration through purity (Job 11:16-19). → “You will surely forget your trouble… life will be brighter than noonday.” → He unknowingly points to Christ’s resurrection—the ultimate restoration that follows suffering (Isaiah 53:11).
Zophar Speaking to Christ (Job)
- He assumes suffering = sin, echoing the priests who condemned Jesus.
- He calls for repentance, not realizing Christ is the sinless one.
- He describes the fate of the wicked, unaware that Christ would bear it for others.
- He unknowingly foreshadows resurrection, though he misapplies it.
Conclusion
Zophar represents the voice of the Priest, calling for purification and repentance but misjudging Christ’s suffering. Like the priests who condemned Jesus, he assumes suffering proves guilt. Yet in the irony of his words, he unknowingly points to the atonement and resurrection Christ would accomplish.
