Albert Barnes Commentary Job 12:4

"I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock." — Job 12:4 (ASV)

I am as one mocked of his neighbour - There has been considerable variety in the interpretation of this verse. The general sense is that Job felt himself to be a mere laughing-stock to his neighbors. They treated him as if he were not worth regarding. They had no sympathy for him in his sorrows and showed no respect for his opinions. Dr. Good understands this and the following verses as part of the controversy in which Job proposes to show his skill in debate and to adduce proverbs in the manner of his friends. But it is more probably an allusion to himself and is designed to state that he felt that he was not treated with the respect that was due to him.

Much difficulty has been experienced in understanding the connection. Reiske contends that Job 12:2 has no connection with Job 12:3, and that Job 12:11-12 should be inserted between them. The connection seems to me to be this: Job complains that he was not treated with due deference.

They had shown no respect for his understanding and rank. They had urged the most commonplace topics; advanced stale and trite sayings, as if he had never heard them; dwelt on maxims familiar even to the lowliest people; and had treated him in this manner as if he were a mere child in knowledge. Thus, to be approached with vague commonplaces and with remarks such as would be used in addressing children, he regarded as insult and mockery.

Who calleth upon God, and he answereth him - This phrase has given rise to considerable variety in interpretation. Umbreit renders it, “I, who once called upon God, and He answered me”—that is, I, who once was a happy man and blessed by God. Schultens renders it, “I, who call upon God”—that is, for trial—“and am ready to answer Him.” Rosenmüller supposes that Job refers to the assurances of his friends that if he would call upon God, He would answer him, and that in view of that suggestion he exclaims, “Shall a man who is a laughing-stock to his neighbor call upon God, and will He answer him?” The probable meaning is that he had been a man who had constant communion with God. He had been a favorite of the Almighty, for He had lent a listening ear to his supplications.

It was now something about which he might reasonably complain: that a man who had enjoyed such manifest tokens of divine favor was treated with reproach and scorn.