Scripture Text: Job 20:1-21:34
Memory Verse: “Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.”—Job 21:22-26
Introduction:
Apparently Job’s confession of faith fell on deaf ears. Zophar was not listening. He says that human history demonstrates that the proud man will perish out of sight forever. His children will beg from the poor, and return what he has taken unjustly. Though still in youthful vigor, he will be cut off. No matter how luxuriously he has lived, he will suddenly lose everything he has gained through oppressing the poor. According to Zophar, every imaginable calamity will come upon him, including hunger, distress, misery, armed attack, fire, and loss of tranquility. Heaven and earth will conspire against him, and his possessions will disappear. This is the heritage appointed to the wicked by God.
Job now asks for strict attention. His complaint is not primarily against man, although his pathetic conditions should awaken human sympathy. He counters their arguments with the true observation that the wicked often prosper in every area of life and death without suffering, even if they have had no place for God in their life. How often, he asks, do the wicked reap the reward of their sins in their own lifetime? How often are they driven away like chaff in the wind? One person dies at peace and in full strength, prosperous, while another passes away in bitterness and poverty. In death all are alike. No one condemns or punishes the wicked and he dies just like all others.
As a parting shot Job says, “And you! You try to comfort me with nonsense. Every answer you give is a lie!” (Job 21:34).
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- No matter how rich, famous, or secure he may be, the wicked person will eventually perish. What is the difference between the wicked and the righteous? (Job 20:1-11; James 4:13-17; 1 John 2:17)
- What does Zophar mean when he considers life as bitter? (Job 20:12-19; 1 Timothy 6:1-10)
- What does Zophar mean when he considers life as painful? (Job 20:20-29; Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, 14)
- What is the answer to the question that Job asked; Why do the wicked live on? (Job 21:1-16; Psalm 37; Romans 2:5-11; Revelation 2:10; Psalm 73:1-14)
- How do we know that comfort and wealth are not evidences of holiness? (Job 21:17-34; Psalm 1:1; 4:6-7; 62:10-11; Matthew 16:21-28)
Applying the Word
So far in the study of the Book of Job, why do you think the three friends were so hard on Job? What was the driving force behind their accusations of Job?