Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What does Zophar confidently assert in chapter 20 verse 5 (printed below?) Also see chapter 20 verses 23-24 (printed below)
…the mirth of the wicked is brief, and the joy of the godless lasts for only a moment. (Job 20:5)
When he has filled his belly, God will vent his burning anger against him and rain down his blows upon him. (24) Though he may flee from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him. (Job 20:23-24)
Zophar instructs Job that “the mirth of the wicked is brief, and the joy of the godless lasts for only a moment.” Zophar is confidently asserting that God metes out swift retribution upon the wicked in this present life. Zophar maintains that this is a fact that has been witnessed down through the ages, “ever since man was placed on the earth” (20:4). In verses 23-24 Zophar again declares that the judgment of the wicked shall come upon him without delay: as soon as he has filled his belly, God will rain the fierceness of His wrath upon the wicked man (20:23c). There is no suspending of the divine judgment, nor is there any escape from it: the wicked man may seek to “flee from an iron weapon, but a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him” (20:24.)
2. What is Job’s response to Zophar’s confident assertion? See chapter 21 verse 7 (printed below)
Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and increasing in power? (Job 21:7)
In response to Zophar’s speech, Job protests that he does not see the wicked receiving swift justice in this present world; indeed, he inquires, “Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and increasing in power?” Rather than being stricken by God’s judgment in the prime of life (as Zophar maintains, 20:11), Job witnesses the wicked living on to old age (21:7b). Rather than being stripped of his ill-gotten gain (as Zophar has repeatedly maintained), Job declares that the wicked increase in power (21:7c): the wicked man is able to parlay his wealth and influence into ever greater power and dominance.
3. In contrast to what Zophar has said, how does Job describe the plight of the wicked? See chapter 21 verses 8-13 (printed below)
They see their children established around them; their offspring are before their eyes. (9) Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not upon them. (10) Their bulls never fail to breed; their cows bear calves and have no miscarriages. (11) They send out their children like a flock; their little ones go around dancing. (12) They sing to the music of the tambourine and harp; they dance to the sound of the flute. (13) They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment they go down to Sheol. (Job 21:8-13)
Job now proceeds to give a description of the wicked that is in direct contradiction to that submitted by Zophar—and which thus calls into question Zophar’s thesis: God’s judgment upon the wicked is swift and occurs within this present life time. Job maintains that the children of the wicked are established, and the wicked live to see it (21:8)—contrast this with Zophar’s claim as recorded in 20:10. Their houses are safe and free from fear and exempt from “the rod of God” (21:9)—contrast this with Zophar’s claim as recorded in 20:23b, 25c. They enjoy peace and prosperity (21:10) and at the end of life succumb to an easy death: “in a moment they go down to Sheol” (21:13b)—contrast this with Zophar’s claim as recorded in 20:18.
4. What penetrating question does Job ask his friends in chapter 21 verses 17-21 (printed below?)
Yet, how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity overtake them—the fate God allots in his anger? (18) How often do they become like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale? (19) You reply, “God stores up misery for that man’s children.” But I say, Let God repay the man himself, so that he may experience it! (20) Let his own eyes see his ruin; let him personally drink of the wrath of the Almighty—(21) for what does he care about the family he leaves behind when his allotted months have come to an end? (Job 21:17-21)
Job asks his friends, “How often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity overtake them—the fate God allots in his anger?” (21:17-18) That is to say, how often have Job’s friends actually witnessed what Zophar asserts, namely, that God enacts swift judgment against the wicked in this present lifetime? Note: “the lamp” being “snuffed out” refers to a premature death as a result of a calamity brought on by God as punishment for evil doing (The Book of Job, Hartley, p. 316). If his friends respond by modifying their position, asserting that God visits His judgment upon the children of the wicked (21:19a), Job protests that such would actually be a non-judgment: the wicked themselves would escape and would have no consciousness of the calamities befalling their children (21:19b-21.)
5. What does Job say about God in chapter 21 verse 22 (printed below?) Also, of what has he previously warned his friends back in chapter 19 verse 29 (printed below?)
But can anyone teach God knowledge—he who is the one who judges the heavenly beings? (Job 21:22)
…you yourselves should fear the sword; for what you are doing are iniquities worthy of punishment by the sword! Be aware that there is a day of judgment. (Job 19:29)
Job concludes his present argument by affirming that God, indeed, is the Judge (He even judges the heavenly beings), and no mere mortal can give instruction to God (21:22). Job is affirming the justice of God and is confessing that God’s ways are inscrutable: they are higher than man’s ways and even beyond man’s limited, finite comprehension. Back in chapter 19 Job had warned his friends, “Be aware that there is a day of judgment”—although often times suspended and not executed in this present world, that last great day of judgment shall surely come.
