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Job thoroughly rejects the doctrine of retribution and he draws from common knowledge to do so. Throughout these chapters, Job’s friends have questioned him, and he has responded. Up until this point, he hasn’t really broken down his opponents’ theories, but rather, professed his innocence. Here in Job 21, he goes on the attack.
He starts with a very simple equation. His friends believe he is being punished because he is wicked. Job follows that claim, and applies it to how the world actually works — and he finds the flaw.
Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful? 8 Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes.
Job 21:7-8 HCSB
They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. 14 Yet they say to God: “Leave us alone! We don’t want to know Your ways.
Job 21:13-14 HCSB
Job lands on a familiar but certain truth. There are many people who reject God but live peaceful, comfortable lives. It’s a fact! You probably know someone like this. So, what does that mean for him, and what does it mean for us today? For Job, it was a powerful statement demolishing the doctrine of retribution that his friends held to so dearly. It affirmed that the mystery of God cannot be simplified and summed up in a nice, neat package.
For us, the same thing is true. The prosperity Gospel has taken suffering out of the mix for Christians today and replaced it with earthly blessings. For some reason, they think that the things of this world bring more joy than truly knowing and following Jesus. It’s the same false teaching in a slick, new package. Whether it’s the prosperity Gospel, or the “bad people go to Hell / good people go to Heaven” mentality, you could definitely say we have adopted shades of this false doctrine.
God is concerned with your health and wealth. That’s why he died to save us from our sin and prepared a place in eternity for us where flawless bodies and abundant blessings await. To desire earthly treasures instead of what God has prepared for us in His kingdom is like making a home in a trash dumpster instead of waiting for our mansion to be built.
This life is temporary, but it’s not easy. It’s filled with suffering and hardships, many of which become intensified as we walk closer to Jesus. But that does not mean it is without blessing! We must live for the unseen world, and seek to show that to as many as we can here in our temporary lives.
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12 HCSB
Let’s be a people who pass the test and receive the crown of life!