21:1 Then Job answered: 

 

Job gave his second response to Zophar (the legalist).

 

21:2 “Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you offer me. 

 

If these men would just listen to Job, then they would offer him comforting words instead of abusive words. The Holy Spirit used this instance to remind believers that one who suffers needs a listening ear, not a condemning mouth.

 

21:3 Bear with me and I will speak, and after I have spoken you may mock. 

 

After Zophar listens to Job’s response, then he can feel free to continue his mockery on a friend who was suffering.

 

21:4 Is my complaint against a man? If so, why should I not be impatient? 

 

Job was not complaining against a man. He was complaining against a holy and righteous God. Man had no idea why Job was going through this situation, but God did. Job was desiring that a holy God give him information as to why he had to suffer. Waiting for this answer from God caused Job to be impatient.

 

21:5 Look at me and be appalled; put your hands over your mouths. 

 

These three friends should be appalled at his appearance and kind with their words.

 

21:6 For, when I think about this, I am terrified and my body feels a shudder. 

 

Job shuddered at his own appearance.

 

21:7 “Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power? 

 

How can Zophar’s philosophy of the rich being punished be true when all over the world the rich were prospering, growing rich, and increasing in power?

 

21:8 Their children are firmly established in their presence, their offspring before their eyes. 

 

Not only do the wicked prosper, but their children proser as well.

 

21:9 Their houses are safe and without fear; and no rod of punishment from God is upon them. 

 

The houses of the wicked are secure without any rod of punishment from God.

 

21:10 Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry. 

 

The livestock of the wicked prosper without miscarriage.

 

21:11 They allow their children to run like a flock; their little ones dance about. 

 

The children of the wicked multiply, dance around, and live happy lives.

 

21:12 They sing to the accompaniment of tambourine and harp, and make merry to the sound of the flute. 

 

The wicked are able to enjoy good music.

 

21:13 They live out their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace. 

 

The wicked live long lives and go down to their graves in peace.

 

21:14 So they say to God, ‘Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways. 

 

The wicked publicly flaunt God and want nothing to do with him.

 

21:15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?’ 

 

The wicked flaunt that it is foolish to serve God. They brag that they will gain nothing by praying to Him.

 

21:16 But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! 

 

Job recognizes that the prosperity of the wicked is not that of their own doing. Their wealth was provided from God, whom they mocked. Therefore, Job is not going to take counsel from wicked men such as these.

 

21:17 “How often is the lamp of the wicked extinguished? How often does their misfortune come upon them? How often does God apportion pain to them in his anger? 

 

Bildad (the traditionalist) claimed that “the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out” in death and that calamity and disaster are ready to overtake him. Job commented that this is rarely true. Most of the time, the wicked prosper and die peacefully at a good old age.

 

21:18 How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff swept away by a whirlwind? 

 

The wicked are seldom blown away suddenly and easily like straw or chaff in a whirlwind.

 

21:19 You may say, ‘God stores up a man’s punishment for his children!’ Instead let him repay the man himself so that he may know it! 

 

The wicked man should suffer for his own sins. His judgement should not come upon his own children.

 

21:20 Let his own eyes see his destruction; let him drink of the anger of the Almighty. 

 

The wicked should be able to see God’s wrath upon him with his own eyes before he reaches death.

 

21:21 For what is his interest in his home after his death, when the number of his months has been broken off? 

 

If a wicked man’s family is to suffer for his sins, then why should he care if he is dead?

 

21:22 Can anyone teach God knowledge, since he judges those that are on high? 

 

No one can teach God knowledge. He is omniscient. He knows all things. He never learns anything new. He planned every second of everyone’s life. There is no such thing as chance. There is only God’s sovereignty. Therefore, God is the only One who can and will judge all things in the end. These men who were judging Job should leave judgement to God alone.

 

21:23 “One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous,

 

God allows some men to die at a very young age, even though they were full of vigor, security, and wealth. 

 

21:24 his body well nourished, and the marrow of his bones moist.

 

God allows some men to die at a very young age, even though they were in a very healthy condition.

 

21:25 And another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted anything good.

 

God allows some men to die in bitterness and poverty.

 

21:26 Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover over them both.

 

In death, all of these men were alike. Worms will eat their bodies. Their bodies will turn to dust. Therefore, wealth or good health do not define the character of a man. The wicked and the godly both die young and old. These three men are not speaking reality when they claim that only the godly prosper and the godless are punished.

 

21:27 “Yes, I know what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me. 

 

Job already knows how his three friends will answer him.

 

21:28 For you say, ‘Where now is the nobleman’s house, and where are the tents in which the wicked lived?’ 

 

Job’s three friends will ask Job for the location of these wicked men who are prospering on this earth.

 

21:29 Have you never questioned those who travel the roads? Do you not recognize their accounts— 

 

Have Job’s three friends never questioned the wicked men who travel on the roads and do evil things to people? The roads in ancient times were not very safe for travel. Most travel was conducted in large groups, armed guards, and caravans.

 

21:30 that the evil man is spared from the day of his misfortune, that he is delivered from the day of God’s wrath? 

 

Many of these evil travelers still operate on the road without experiencing God’s wrath.

 

21:31 No one denounces his conduct to his face; no one repays him for what he has done. 

 

No one would dare accuse these travelers of committing evil deeds to their face. No one would dare to exact revenge upon these travelers for the theft, violence, and rape that they have done to others.

 

21:32 And when he is carried to the tombs, and watch is kept over the funeral mound, 

 

Someday, these travelers who commit evil deeds on the roads will die.

 

21:33 The clods of the torrent valley are sweet to him; behind him everybody follows in procession, and before him goes a countless throng. 

 

Many people will attend the wicked traveler’s funeral. They will be given an honorable burial.

 

21:34 So how can you console me with your futile words. Nothing is left of your answers but deception!” 

Those who console these wicked travelers at their funerals is only a formality of emptiness. The funeral attenders will be glad that these wicked travelers are dead, but they must fake condolences for them.