Job 21

Hang on a minute. Let me say what I’m gonna say. Then you can carry on with your mocking. But just think for a second – was I talking to you? No? Then maybe you should shut-up.

Okay, so maybe Job didn’t say it quite like that. He said what he said, though. He calls his verbose friends mockers, and says, “lay your hand over your mouth,” which in the Hebrew probably, well kind of, means “shut-up.”

Have you gotten to that point in a conversation before? You’ve heard enough of everything. They’ve said all the words you can handle right then. You just want them to shut-up already. Except it sounds more like, “Let’s revisit this later after I’ve had time to process.” Or, possibly, “Well, bless your heart.”

I think Job has endured enough accusation from fellow sinners. What He really wants is an answer from the Almighty. He has questions about the wicked.

“Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes.”

Job 21:7-8

The wicked seem to prosper in everything they do. Nothing seems to be out of reach for them. They live well, and they die peacefully. How is this possible when they refuse to acknowledge God? Job goes on…

“They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of your ways. What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?'”

Job 21:14-15

The wicked are all about that bottom line. Job asks an important question. Why do the wicked seem to thrive even in their wickedness? Psalm 73 gives a wonderful answer for this question. Though it may seem that the wicked receive only good things in this life, that isn’t the whole picture.

“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

Psalm 73:2-3

The psalmist, Asaph, goes on to describe the decadent luxury and proud malice the wicked live in. Asaph describes their rebellion against God, their scoffing, foolishness, ease, and wealth. He is discouraged by their apparent success despite being against God.

“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”

Psalm 73:16-17

Asaph’s whole mindset changes once he spends time in God’s presence, worshipping God in His sanctuary. Asaph sees that the end of the wicked is certain. God has set them in “slippery places.” But Asaph recognizes that God has established the steps of the righteous. They walk on sure ground.

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:23-26

Notice the great contrast here! Such a beautiful reversal. Though the wicked seem to be “blessed” beyond measure in this life, it is really the righteous who are truly, fully blessed. Their portion is God Himself. Consider this well, friend…consider it, self. God Himself is your good portion, inheritance, blessing. And He is yours forever.

God has not abandoned Job in his struggle. God remains Job’s strength, his rock of safety. God is still Job’s good portion forever. And ours. Even in the swampy pit of sorrow, suffering, hardship, or trial. God has not left us alone. Job’s friends aren’t reminding him of these solid, bracing truths. They offer him nothing but empty talk. Job calls it “empty nothings.”

Lord, in my suffering, please remind me of Your truth. You are my portion forever! Bring me to Your sanctuary. Let me see You as Asaph saw, Your glory, Your strength, and Your hand holding me. Then, I will be able to offer rich comfort to hurting friends, words of wisdom, and truth that builds up.