\\INTRODUCTION TO JOB 12\\

In this and the two following chapter Job makes answer to Zophar's
discourse in the former; who having represented him as an ignorant man,
he resents it, and begins his defence with a biting sarcasm on him and
his friends, as being self-conceited, and having an high opinion of
their own wisdom, as if none had any but themselves, \\#Job 12:1,2\\; and
puts in his claim for a share with them, as being not at all inferior
to them, \\#Job 12:3\\; and then refutes their notions, that it always goes
well with good men, and ill with bad men; whereas the reverse is the
truth, \\#Job 12:4-6\\; and which they might learn from the brute
creatures; or he sends them to them, to observe to them, that the best
things they had knowledge of concerning God and his providence, and of
his wisdom therein, were common notions that everyone had, and might
be learned from beasts, birds, and fishes; particularly, that all
things in the whole universe are made by God, and sustained by him, and
are under his direction, and at his disposal, \\#Job 12:7-10\\; and such
things might as easily be searched, examined, and judged of, as sounds
are tried by the ear, and food by the mouth, \\#Job 12:11\\; and seeing it
is usual among men, at least it may be expected that men in years
should have a considerable share of wisdom and knowledge, it might be
strongly inferred from thence, without any difficulty, that the most
perfect and consummate wisdom was in God, \\#Job 12:12,13\\; whence he
passes on to discourse most admirably and excellently of the wisdom and
power of God in the dispensations of his providence, in a variety of
instances; which shows his knowledge of his perfections, ways, and
works, was not inferior to that of his friends, \\#Job 12:14-25\\.