Compare Job 21:25 with Psalm 73:3-5. What insights do you gain? Reading the Passages “Yet another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted prosperity.” “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well fed. They are free of burdens common to man; neither are they afflicted like other men.” Immediate Observations • Job highlights a person who suffers through life and dies “in bitterness of soul.” • Asaph notices the very opposite: wicked people who glide through life seemingly untroubled, prosperous, and strong. • Both writers are grappling with the puzzle of why life’s rewards and hardships appear unevenly—almost randomly—distributed. Big-Picture Themes • Appearance vs. Reality – Outward prosperity (Psalm 73) and outward poverty or bitterness (Job 21) do not necessarily reveal a person’s standing before God (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). • The Limits of Human Observation – Job and Asaph both look at life “under the sun” and struggle until they lift their eyes to God’s larger purposes (Job 28:23; Psalm 73:17). • Ultimate Justice Deferred, Not Denied – Scripture consistently teaches an eventual reckoning (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 9:27). The present moment never tells the whole story. Core Insights Gained • Material prosperity is a fragile, temporary indicator. One can be flush with wealth yet bankrupt before God, or destitute yet rich toward Him (Luke 12:15-21; Revelation 2:9). • Suffering is not proof of divine disfavor, nor is prosperity proof of divine approval (James 1:9-12; John 9:1-3). • Envy blinds the believer to the eternal perspective; it fades once we remember God’s final verdict on every life (Psalm 73:17-19). • Bitterness of soul (Job 21:25) warns that an unguarded heart can sour even if outward conditions change; peace comes from trusting the Lord, not from circumstances (Isaiah 26:3). Living It Out • Anchor contentment in God’s character, not in fluctuating circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). • Guard against the subtle sin of envy by rehearsing God’s promises and recalling Christ’s sufficiency (Hebrews 13:5-6). • When life feels unfair, take cues from Job and Asaph: pour out honest questions to God, then allow His truth to recalibrate your perspective (Psalm 62:8). Related Scriptures • Psalm 37:7-10 – Waiting patiently while the wicked flourish. • Jeremiah 12:1 – The prophet’s complaint about prospering evildoers. • Luke 16:19-31 – Present luxury contrasted with eternal loss. • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Light, momentary afflictions preparing an eternal weight of glory. |
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