The Wicked Prosper, WHAT?

Job 21

If you can say anything about reading Job is that it makes you realize that sometimes we can say, “Life is unfair.” I think the older I get and the more life I live, I see this played out. Life based on my standards is unfair. 

Why do the wicked prosper? I would think that in junior high, why did the mean, arrogant boy get the pretty, sweet girl? Why do certain people that obviously are evil get away with certain things? Why is it that when a criminal gets caught for his horrendous acts and justice is served, we get happy? These are some questions that have gone through my mind in todays’ reading.

Job responds to Zophar

In Ray C. Stedman’s book on Job titled, “Let God be God,” he calls Zophar the Zealous because he responds to the emotions. Zophar becomes irritated at Job for rebuking him. In his mind, he is thinking, “Why is Job, the sinner, rebuking me?” He has no room in doing that. In Job 20, Zophar again thinks that Job is guilty and receiving his just dessert. Zophar’s philosophy is the wicked get punished while the righteous are rewarded and since Job is being punished he must be wicked.

Job has been arguing with him and his friends for these last few chapters over his innocence and how come he cannot suffer and still be righteous in the eyes of God. Many people are like Zophar today and in ch. 21 Job says some very insightful stuff which I think is so relevant today. 

The Wicked Prosper (Only for a Time)

In ch. 21 Job responds to his not so compassionate friend Zophar. He says in verses 7-13 an argument that is solid. “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power then?” He continues by saying, “Why then is their offspring established and their descendants numerous?” If the wicked were to suffer for their sin, “Why do their houses stay safe from disaster, their flocks prosper? WHY? And yet these people who prosper push God away and say God Who?

Zophar was somewhat right about the wicked. He did say they will be cut off and receive justice (Job 20). In the end God will judge everyone and the wicked may have not suffered on this earth but they will in eternity. Their evil deeds will be exposed and they will be punished. What does that mean for us? It means Let God be God and handle it in his timing. So the wicked may prosper but it is only for a short time compared to eternity. We are not God and we should be thankful for his grace in our lives. We should trust him to bring about his will. We should seek him even when we feel mistreated or injustice take place. We need to realize this life and everything that we call ours, really his. We are just the stewards of it! 

God in a Box 

Have you ever thought this before? I know I have. As this may be shocking to think about it is true. Job goes on to respond to his friend by saying, “Can you teach God something (Job 21:22)?” He is saying, so do you know more than God? Who do you think you are? 

Have you ever done what Zophar or the other friends of Job have done. They limit and label God and put him in a box. They think they can teach God something in give some shed of light to him, but the truth is they are farther from knowing who he is. They don’t understand or desire him which means they are far from him. People reshape God to their thinking instead of reshaping their thinking around God! Be careful of this Christian, as you will start thinking that you know more than God and pride will enter into your heart.