Today’s passage: Job 21
Helpful thoughts:
- Job responds. In a way, his response could cover many of his friends’ accusations.
- Job argues that there are many wicked who have prospered and lived long lives on this earth (Or again, as we might say from the book of Ecclesiastes, “Under the sun.”)
- In verses 14-16, he even refers to those who knowingly reject God. This is not an earthly prosperity that is obtained in ignorance of God, but in the midst of opposition.
- There are wicked and righteous who prosper and there are wicked and righteous who are impoverished. All of them go to the grave just the same.
- For this reason, Job calls his friends’ charges against him, “empty nothings.”
Questions to consider:
- In what way was Job’s response a good summary to all of his friends’ arguments?
- What do you think Job meant in verse 22 and following? Did Job think God needed reminding on how He is supposed to exercise justice? Or, was Job saying that if his friends were right, then God is unjust?
- What does the reality of verse 26 teach us about riches in this life versus eternity? How could this chapter encourage us to remember the truths of Matthew 6:19-20? How does one live a life with our eyes and values placed on eternity whether we are rich or poor in this life?