Job 21
The Reply of Job to Zophar.In this section, Job asks his friends to listen carefully to what he has to say. He wants them to give him a chance to speak without interrupting or mocking him. Job is troubled by his suffering and by the harsh words of his friends. He reminds them that what is happening to him is very unusual and difficult to understand. Job points out that sometimes, God’s ways are mysterious, and people should be humble and thoughtful rather than quick to judge.v. 1: Job asks for his friends’ attention. He says, Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations (Job 21:2 a). He wants them to comfort him at least by listening patiently to what he has to say. v. 2: He continues, asking them to let him speak fully. Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on (Job 21:3 b). Job says that after he finishes, they can say whatever they want—even if they make fun of him. v. 3: Job believes he deserves a fair hearing, especially since he is suffering. People who are accused should be allowed to explain themselves. If not, they are treated unfairly and have no way to defend themselves. v. 4: He reminds them that he is not complaining to people, but to God. As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? . Job says that God is the real judge of his case, not his friends. He trusts God to listen and judge fairly. v. 5: Job wants his friends to be amazed and thoughtful about his situation. Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth . He tells them to stop talking for a moment and think carefully about what has happened to him. Sometimes, when we do not understand God’s ways, it is better to be silent and respectful (Job 17:8 c). v. 6: Job admits that even he is shocked and afraid when he remembers the day his troubles began. Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh . The sudden loss of his health and happiness, along with the harsh words of his friends, make him deeply troubled. He is amazed at how quickly his life changed and how hard it is for anyone to understand why these things happen. Prosperity of the Wicked; Abuse of Earthly Prosperity.In this section, Job challenges the idea that wicked people always suffer in this life. He points out that many people who do wrong actually live long, successful, and happy lives. Job says that their prosperity sometimes makes them even more stubborn in their sin. He also explains how these people often ignore God and use their wealth for selfish reasons. Job makes it clear that he does not agree with their way of thinking or living.v. 7: Job asks, Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? . He notices that many wicked people live long lives and become powerful. This does not fit the idea that all wicked people are punished quickly. v. 8: He says, Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes . The children of the wicked grow up strong and successful. They get to see their families grow and prosper. v. 9: Job observes, Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them . Their homes are peaceful and free from trouble. They do not seem to suffer God’s punishment. v. 10: He points out, Their bull genders, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf . Their animals are healthy and productive, so their wealth keeps increasing. v. 11-12: Job says, They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ (Job 21:11-12 d). Their children are happy and carefree, enjoying music and dancing. Their lives are full of fun and celebration, but they do not teach their children about God (Genesis 18:19 e). – v. 13: He notes, They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave . The wicked enjoy their riches all their lives and die suddenly, without suffering a long illness or pain. v. 14-15: Job explains how these people treat God. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (Job 21:14-15 f). They do not want God in their lives and see no value in serving or praying to Him. They think religion is useless because they already have everything they want (Malachi 3:14 g). – v. 16: Job says, Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me . He makes it clear that he does not agree with their way of thinking. Their wealth does not come from their own power, and he refuses to follow their example (Psalm 49:13 h). Certain Punishments of the Wicked; Divine Sovereignty.In this passage, Job responds to his friends who think all wicked people are punished in this life. Job disagrees and says we often see wicked people living prosperous lives until the end. He reminds his friends that God is in control, and sometimes the punishment for evil comes later, not right away. Job explains that only God knows when and how to judge each person, and people should not try to tell God how to run the world. Sometimes, wicked people die suddenly and easily, while others suffer for a long time, but in the end, everyone goes to the grave.v. 17: Job asks, How often is the candle of the wicked put out? and how often comes their destruction upon them? . He says that it is not common to see wicked people quickly punished or their happiness suddenly ended. Many times, their lives seem to go on without trouble. v. 18: Job says that even when the wicked are rich, they are still weak before God. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away . This means they are always exposed to danger, and God can destroy them at any time if He chooses. v. 19: He explains that sometimes God saves the punishment for the children of the wicked. God lays up his iniquity for his children: he rewards him, and he shall know it . The evil a person does may not be punished right away, but God keeps track and will judge fairly—sometimes even by letting the next generation suffer the results. v. 20: Job says, His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty . In the end, the wicked person will see his own downfall and experience God’s anger, even if it happens after death (Psalm 11:6; Revelation 14:10 i). v. 21: Job asks, What pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? . When a person dies, all his wealth and success mean nothing to him. Like the rich man in Luke 16:25-28 j, those who trusted in their riches gain no comfort from them after death. v. 22: Job reminds everyone that only God knows the right way to judge. Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high . We should not question God’s decisions or try to tell Him how to rule the world (Genesis 18:25; Romans 3:6 k). v. 23-24: Job describes how different people’s deaths can be. One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow (Job 21:23-24 l). Some people die suddenly while they are healthy and comfortable, not expecting death at all. – v. 25: But another person dies in pain and sadness. And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure . Some people suffer for a long time before they die, and their lives are full of sorrow. v. 26: In the end, both kinds of people end up in the same place. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them . Whether a person had an easy life or a hard one, everyone goes to the grave, and outward differences no longer matter. Punishment of the Wicked.In this passage, Job disagrees with his friends who insist that only the wicked suffer disasters like his. He explains that many wicked people do not face obvious punishment in this life. Job instead points out that the punishment of the wicked is often delayed and may only happen after death. He shows that fame, wealth, or a grand funeral cannot protect anyone from the reality of death. In the end, everyone must face it, just like everyone before and after them. Job also says that his friends’ arguments are based on a misunderstanding of how God works, and so their words bring him no real comfort.v. 27: Job says, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me . He knows his friends believe that only the wicked suffer as he does, and that they wrongly judge him as evil because of his troubles. v. 28: He responds to their objection: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? . Job’s friends point to his ruined house as proof of guilt, but Job argues this is not strong evidence, since not all wicked people lose their homes. v. 29: Job appeals to common experience and asks, Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens? . He says that if they talk to travelers or anyone who observes life, they will find that many sinners prosper until death, and punishment often comes later (Psalm 92:7 m). v. 30: Job explains, The wicked is reserved to the day of destruction; they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath . God sometimes lets the wicked live well in this life, but saves their punishment for the future. v. 31: He observes, Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done? . Wicked people can be so powerful that no one dares correct them or make them pay for their wrongs. But God will judge them in the end (Hosea 4:17 n). v. 32: Job describes their burial: Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb . Even if a wicked person dies in honor and has a grand burial, it does not change their fate after death (Luke 16:22 o). v. 33: He adds, The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him . Death comes to all people. Many have died before, and many will die after, so everyone shares the same end. v. 34: Job ends by saying, How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood? (Job 21:34 p). He tells his friends that their arguments are not true and cannot bring him comfort. Their belief that good people always prosper and only the wicked suffer is not supported by reality.
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