Job 21:20-30

20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?

Job 21:20-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 21

This chapter contains Job's reply to Zophar's preceding discourse, in which, after a preface exciting attention to what he was about to say, Job 21:1-6; he describes by various instances the prosperity of wicked men, even of the most impious and atheistical, and which continues with them as long as they live, contrary to what Zophar had asserted in Job 20:5, Job 21:7-15; as for himself, he disapproved of such wicked men as much as any, and owns that destruction comes upon them sooner or later, and on their posterity also, Job 21:16-21; but as God is a God of knowledge, and needs no instruction from any, and is a sovereign Being, he deals with men in different ways; some die in great ease, and peace, and prosperity, and others in bitterness and distress, but both are alike brought to the dust, Job 21:22-26; and whereas he was aware of their censures of him, and their objections to what he had said, he allows that the wicked are reserved to the day of destruction, which is future, and in the mean while lie in the grave, where all must follow; yet they are not repaid or rewarded in this life, that remains to be done in another world, Job 21:27-33; and concludes, that their consolation with respect to him was vain, and falsehood was in their answers, Job 21:34.

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