Lesson 30 Job Chapter 21

Rom 3:10-18 There is no fear of God before the eyes of the natural man.  

The fear of the Lord is tied to work of the Holy Spirit.

In Chapter 19 Job responded to Bildad’s description of the dwellings of the wicked that knoweth not God (18:21).

In Chapters 21 Job responded Zophar description of the heritage appointed unto the wicked man by God (20:21).

·       Job knew they likened him to the wicked man who “knoweth not” God. By using “knowneth not” they felt Job by not accepting their chastisement he was continuing to cast off his fear (15:4) and knowledge of God.

V21:2-3 Job seemed to feel the only consolation he would receive from them was listening to him speak. When he was through their mocking would continue. Who were they mocking?  

·       Job 13:9 -God  ; 17:2 – Job’ condition

In V4 Job again told them all that happened was between him and God no man had anything to do with it. If these men were right Job’s spirit would condemn him. Remember Job knew God turned him over to the ungodly and placed him in the hand of the wicked and he knew his redeemed liveth.

V5-6 Job wanted these men to pay close attention to him,to force themselves from talking because they should be astonished at what they saw. When Job looked back on the months of vanity and wearisome nights (7:3) he was forced to endure he was over come by fear and trembling.

·       One reason was because he saw no end in sight.

·       The second reason was he knew God’s hand was in his suffering. (19:21)

·       Third he was afraid for his friends who would face God’s punishment for their speaking wickedly and deceitfully for Him. (19:29)

·       I wonder if Job felt they to should be filled with fear and trembling just as he was.

V21:7-13 Job again asked, why do the wicked seem to prosper?

V14-15 Since the wicked prosper in their wickedness they feel they have no need to serve the Almighty.

·       Elihu will uses these words to attack Job in 34:7-9; 35:2-3

·       Malachi 3:13-15 The LORD used the same statement against Israel. Jere 2:19

·       The natural man of Rom 3:10-18 (Ps 36:1)

V16 with V22:18

·       V16a their good is not in their hand – Do they propser through their wickedness or is the judgment of God that allows it?

·       V16b with Ps 1:1 & Prov 1:10 Job never sought the counsel from a wicked person even if he prospered in his wickedness.

Vs 21:7-15 Paint a pretty good picture of the life of the wicked while alive on the earth. .

Vs 21:17-26, 29-33 the end of the wicked is seen..

·       They will drink of the wrath of God

·       Rev 14:10, 16:9; John 3:36 [1Thes 5:8-10]

·       They will all die and suffer alike

V21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me

V21:34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

·       Job made it clear, once again, that these men were no comforters. I believe he actually believed they were the ungodly, wicked, deceitful ones and not his self.

·       One of their devices is seen on V28: they tie the prince and the wicked together. While not they often did not name Job directly, they eluded that Job was the wicked one they were talking about. Job knew what they were doing along.

·       I believe what Job says in these verses (27,28,34) led Eliphaz make what may be the most scathing accusation against Job yet in Chapter 22.