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Job 20

29 verses

TL;DR

Zophar castigates the wicked, warning of swift divine judgment and ruin.

Summary

In this chapter, Zophar the Naamathite delivers a scathing indictment of the wicked, warning that their triumph is fleeting and that God will swiftly bring them to ruin. He describes the wicked as rising to great heights yet destined to perish like dung, emphasizing the transient nature of their power. Zophar employs vivid imagery—dreams, visions, and the swallowing of riches followed by vomiting—to illustrate the inevitable downfall. He highlights the moral corruption of the wicked, noting their concealment of sin and their oppression of the poor, and predicts that divine wrath will manifest through natural forces such as rain and iron weapons. The passage concludes by affirming that the wicked’s wealth will be taken away, and that their legacy is ultimately doomed, serving as a stark reminder of divine justice.

Outline
  1. Zophar’s condemnation of the wicked and proclamation of their brief success.
  2. Vivid description of the wicked’s downfall using metaphorical imagery.
  3. Declaration of divine judgment, loss of wealth, and ultimate ruin.
Themes
Divine judgment against the wickedMoral corruption and oppression of the poorThe fleeting nature of earthly power
Keywords
wickednessdivine wrathretributionaspspoisonrichesheavensdungiron weaponglittering swordoppressionpoverty
People
Zophar the Naamathite
Places
heavensnight
Things
dungaspspoisongallrichesiron weaponbow of steelglittering sword
Key Verses
  • Job 20:5: Emphasizes the short-lived triumph of the wicked.
  • Job 20:12: Illustrates the hidden sin of the wicked and its inevitable consequences.
  • Job 20:18: Shows the reversal of wealth as the wicked are forced to return what they stole.
  • Job 20:23: Describes the divine wrath raining upon the wicked at the moment they feed.
  • Job 20:29: Summarizes the entire judgment as the portion and heritage given to the wicked.
Questions
  • What does Zophar mean by saying the wicked’s triumph is only for a moment?
  • How does the imagery of swallowing riches and vomiting them back comment on the nature of wealth acquired by the wicked?
  • In what ways does the passage address the moral duty toward the poor?
  • How might this chapter inform our understanding of divine justice and its immediacy?
Sentiment

negative
The passage portrays harsh condemnation and impending divine punishment.