Zophar, ever on a vicious attack against Job, has spelled it out mathematically:
Do good = Your life will be blessed.
Do evil = Bad things will happen to you.
And since Job is going through a terrible time of suffering and bad things are happening, he most certainly has done evil. Job has an entirely different perspective.
Evil people seem to prosper.
First of all he calls to Zophar to listen up, then “after I have spoken you may continue mocking” (Job 21:3).
Then he goes on to paint a picture completely opposite of Zophar. Zophar says that the wicked will come to ruins in this life. Job paints a picture that the wicked seem to live in safety and security:
“Why do the wicked continue to live growing old and becoming powerful?” (Job 21:7)
“Their homes are secure and free of fear” (Job 21:9).
“They let their little ones run around like lambs; their children skip about” (Job 21:11).
“They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace” (Job 21:13).
And he is indeed describing the wicked. Because this is what he says they about God.
“Yet they say to God: “Leave us alone! We don’t want to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him” (Job 21:14-15).
Then Job responds to Zophar.
“So how can you offer me such futile comfort? Your answers are deceptive” (Job 21:34).
Job’s picture of wicked people is that they are often living in prosperity. They have a lot of money, they live in safety, their children are happy and successful, and when they die they have beautiful funerals. Even though they have no fear of God.
What Job is saying is he is confronted Zophar’s above mathematical equation: Do good and all will be well with you. Do bad and yoru life will be miserable.
Life doesn’t always work that way, says Job. Sometimes good people have a lot of suffering and sometimes bad people seem to have i it all. Yet, they both lie down in the grave at the end.
“Can anyone teach God knowledge,
since He judges the exalted ones?
One person dies in excellent helath,
completely secure and at ease.
His body is well fed,
and his bones are full of marrow.
Yet another person dies
with a bitter soul,
having never tasted prosperity.
But they both lie in the dust,
and worms cover them.”
