Old Testament Commentary - Job 21

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 21 Job admits that the wicked sometimes prosper in this life—Then he testifies that their judgment shall be hereafter in the day of wrath and destruction.
1 BUT Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, ^amock on.		3^a Job 16:20 (10, 20)
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your ^ahand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.		5^a Judg. 18:19
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are ^amighty in power? 8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.		7^a Job 12:6; Hel. 7:5-6; TG Worldliness
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the ^aorgan. 13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.		12^a HEB flute
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. 18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as ^achaff that the storm carrieth away.		18^a Ps. 1:4
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he ^arewardeth him, and he shall know it. 20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall ^adrink of the wrath of the Almighty.		19^a TG Reward 20^a Ps. 75:8; Mosiah 3:18
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? 22 Shall any ^ateach God ^bknowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. 23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.		22^a Isa. 40:13-15 ^b TG God, Omniscience of
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. 25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. 26 They shall lie down alike in the ^adust, and the worms shall cover them.		26^a TG Mortality
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? 29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, 30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction^a? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.	30^a the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction The LORD does not necessarily punish the wicked in the day of this life, but he does reserve their punishment to 'the day of destruction', that is 'the day of wrath'. In many ways this also prolongs their day of repentance, particularly they who have not sinned unto a ripening unto destruction. What is sure is that none escape the hand of the LORD. Yet the LORD, I am sure, would rather that they come unto him and repent of their sins and wickedness rather than that they would be destroyed. But rest assured that when men are brought forth in the resurrection, they are brought forth in the condition of 'incorruption', for the wickedness will have been destroyed within them before any are to recieve any kingdom of glory prepared by the Lord.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall ^arepay him what he hath done? 32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth ^afalsehood?		31^a TG Retribution 34^a TG False Doctrine