IN THIS chapter we hear from Zophar for the last time. Evidently he was a hasty man, so he says, “Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste,” Though he was the youngest of the three he appears to have great conference in what he had learned and in his own judgment. He thought he knew a great deal when really he knew very little, especially of the ways of God with man, and much less of His ways with His saints. He says: “I hear a reproof putting me to shame; and my spirit answereth me by mine understanding. Knowest thou not this, that of old, since mart was placed upon the earth, the exultation of the wicked is short, and the joy of the ungodly man but for a moment.” J.N.D. Trans. This is true in part, but then God does often allow evil men to prosper and flourish for a long time on the earth; their judgment awaits a future day. But in the meantime God does discipline His children here below for their good and blessing, and Job’s case was very exceptional in the severity of his trial, not for his own good only, but for ours also. For now we have this wonderful Book and are meant to profit by its lessons. Zophar knew nothing of this, however, and instead of giving his friend any sympathy whatever, all he can impute to Job is some great evil in his life.
Zophar speaks of what becomes of the wicked, of how his children have to seek the help of the poor whom he has oppressed, and finally the wrath of God falls on him and he is slain. “The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.” Then he closes saying, “This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.” One would have to be filled with pride and completely self-satisfied, to say such things to one suffering such adversities, as poor Job was at this time.
In chapter 21 Job says, “Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.” Then he raises the question, “Wherefore do the wicked live, and become old, yea, are mighty in power?... Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them... They spend their days in wealth.” They even say unto God, “Dart’ from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.” They even challenge Him saying, “What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?”
Job also raises the question, “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and cometh their calamity upon them?” Then he calls to his friends’ attention how that one dieth in his full strength, prosperous and healthy. Then another dies in bitterness of soul, never having known prosperity: both alike go together unto the grave. There is a lot more truth in the words of Job than in those of his friends. He goes on: “Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. For ye say, Where is the house of the noble, and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?” Had they not asked the passers-by these things? Did they not know “That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.” That is the reason why they flourish now. His friends looked only at present things as a proof of what God thought about men. But Job could see that this was false reasoning, for God’s judgment of men and their ways, and the setting right of all things in this world, await a future day.
ML-05/15/1960