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Job 21

34 verses

TL;DR

Job wrestles with the seeming prosperity of the wicked, questioning divine justice and the value of comfort offered by his friends.

Summary

In Job 21, Job speaks aloud, urging his listeners to heed his words. He laments the prosperity and longevity of the wicked, describing how they seem secure, abundant, and untroubled. He questions why such people do not feel God's presence or face punishment, pointing out the apparent contradiction between their success and God's justice. Job criticizes the assurances of his friends, claiming they are false comfort. He reflects on the transience of human life, noting that even the robust and the prosperous will ultimately die and be buried in dust. He concludes with a rhetorical plea for truth over comforting lies.

Outline
  1. Job challenges the prosperity of the wicked.
  2. He questions the authenticity of divine justice.
  3. He rebukes his friends’ false comfort.
Themes
The problem of apparent injustice.Human perception of divine justice.The futility of comforting lies.
Keywords
wickedprosperityjusticesufferingdivine retributioncomfortGod’s anger
People
JobGod
Places
Things
prosperitywealthdestructionjudgmentcomfort
Key Verses
  • Job 21:7-11: Describes the outward signs of prosperity in the wicked, highlighting the central tension in the chapter.
  • Job 21:17: Shows the eventual destruction of the wicked, foreshadowing divine retribution.
  • Job 21:34: Concludes with a call for truth over comforting lies, encapsulating the chapter’s message.
Questions
  • Why does Job emphasize the prosperity of the wicked, and what does that say about human expectations of justice?
  • How does Job’s critique of his friends' comfort reflect on the nature of empathy and truth?
  • In what ways does Job anticipate divine judgment on the wicked, and how does that shape his view of God's justice?
  • What does Job mean by ‘comfort in vain’, and how does this affect his relationship with his friends?
  • How can modern readers interpret Job’s lament about the seeming fairness of life?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter is filled with Job’s lament, questioning, and frustration over perceived injustice.