1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, [is] my complaint to man? and if [it were so], why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your] mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses [are] safe from fear, neither [is] the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16 Lo, their good [is] not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it].
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure [hath] he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22 Shall [any] teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For ye say, Where [is] the house of the prince? and where [are] the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him [what] he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as [there are] innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
Overview of Job Chapter 21
Job Chapter 21 serves as a pivotal moment in the dialogue between Job and his friends, particularly addressing the theme of justice and the prosperity of the wicked. Job responds to the arguments made by his friends, who insist that suffering is a direct result of sin. In this chapter, Job challenges their assumptions and presents a counter-narrative about the reality of the world.
Key Themes
- The Prosperity of the Wicked: Job observes that the wicked often live prosperous lives and die peacefully, which contradicts the belief that suffering is a punishment for sin.
- The Question of Divine Justice: Job questions the fairness of God’s justice, highlighting the apparent lack of retribution for the wicked.
- The Human Experience of Suffering: Job articulates the pain and confusion that come with suffering, emphasizing that it is not always linked to personal wrongdoing.
Structure of the Chapter
- Job’s Call for Attention (Verses 1-3): Job asks his friends to listen to him and to reflect on his words, setting the stage for his argument.
- Observations on the Wicked (Verses 4-16): Job presents a series of observations about the lives of the wicked, noting their success and lack of immediate punishment.
- The Fate of the Wicked (Verses 17-21): Job questions the fate of the wicked after death, suggesting that they may not face consequences as his friends claim.
- Rebuttal of Friends’ Arguments (Verses 22-26): Job challenges the notion that God punishes the wicked in this life, using examples of those who die without suffering.
- The Final Plea for Justice (Verses 27-34): Job asserts that his friends are wrong in their assessments and calls for a more nuanced understanding of justice.
Detailed Analysis
Job’s Call for Attention (Verses 1-3)
Job begins the chapter by requesting that his friends listen to him. This plea underscores his desire for a fair hearing and highlights the emotional weight of his words. He feels misunderstood and seeks to articulate his perspective on suffering.
Observations on the Wicked (Verses 4-16)
In these verses, Job lists the ways in which the wicked thrive despite their actions. He describes their wealth, their families, and their seemingly carefree lives. Job’s observations serve to dismantle the simplistic theology of his friends, who equate suffering with divine punishment.
The Fate of the Wicked (Verses 17-21)
Job questions the common belief that the wicked will inevitably face punishment. He points out that many die peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of prosperity. This challenges the notion of a just God who punishes sin in this life. Job’s rhetorical questions expose the flaws in the friends’ arguments, emphasizing that the reality of life is more complex than their simplistic views.
Rebuttal of Friends’ Arguments (Verses 22-26)
Job directly confronts the claims made by his friends about divine justice. He suggests that the fate of individuals is not always determined by their righteousness or wickedness. The examples he provides illustrate that many who appear to be wicked do not suffer in life, which is a direct challenge to the friends’ assertions that suffering is a punishment for sin.
The Final Plea for Justice (Verses 27-34)
In concluding the chapter, Job urges his friends to reconsider their stance on divine justice. He asserts that their understanding is flawed and calls for a more profound examination of the nature of God and justice. Job’s plea emphasizes the need for humility in interpreting the complexities of life and suffering.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 21 is a powerful exploration of the themes of justice, suffering, and the human experience. Through Job’s articulate arguments, the chapter challenges the simplistic views held by his friends and invites readers to reflect on the complexities of faith and the nature of divine justice.
