What does Job 21:10 reveal about God's justice in the lives of the wicked? Reading the Verse “ ‘Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.’ ” (Job 21:10) What Job Sees Job’s observation overturns the tidy formulas of his friends: • The wicked enjoy tangible prosperity. • Their livestock—a primary measure of wealth in that era—reproduces flawlessly. • No immediate sign of divine displeasure appears. God’s Justice and Present Prosperity Job 21:10 teaches that: • Justice is not always visible in real time. Psalm 73:3–12 records a similar frustration: “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” • Material success is not the yardstick of God’s approval. Compare Luke 16:19–31; the rich man’s ease masked a coming reversal. • God allows seasons in which wicked people flourish, yet Scripture never portrays this as permanent (Job 21:17; Psalm 73:18–20). The Purpose Behind Delayed Judgment Why would God permit the unrighteous to thrive? 1. Sovereign patience—Romans 2:4: “Do you presume on the riches of His kindness… not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” 2. Growing contrast—Ecclesiastes 8:11: delayed consequences expose hearts, revealing who fears God merely for reward. 3. Fulness of sin—Genesis 15:16 shows God waiting “until the iniquity… is complete,” underscoring measured justice. Ultimate Accountability Though Job sees prosperity now, the rest of Scripture affirms unavoidable reckoning: • Romans 2:5–6—God “will repay each person according to his deeds.” • 2 Peter 3:9–10—The apparent delay stores up “the day of the Lord,” when hidden accounts come due. • Job himself later concedes God’s unfailing justice (Job 42:2–6). Takeaways for Today • Never confuse present comfort with eternal security. • Resist envy; prosperity can mask spiritual peril. • Trust God’s timing—His justice is certain, even when unseen. |
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