What does Job 21:15 reveal about the attitude of the wicked towards God? Setting the Scene in Job 21 Job replies to the accusations of his friends by pointing to the observable fact that many openly wicked people seem to live comfortable, prosperous lives. In the middle of his speech, he quotes their godless mindset. The Core Question in Job 21:15 Job 21:15: “What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what would we gain if we pray to Him?” Unpacking the Attitude of the Wicked • Contempt for God’s Person – “What is the Almighty…?” implies belittling or dismissing who God is. • Rejection of Service – “…that we should serve Him?” shows unwillingness to submit, viewing service as pointless. • Self-Centered Pragmatism – “What would we gain…?” measures prayer and obedience only by tangible, immediate benefit. • Practical Atheism – Though God exists, they live as if He is irrelevant (cf. Psalm 10:4). • Spiritual Blindness – They fail to see eternal consequences, thinking only of present profit (cf. Matthew 16:26). • Ingratitude – Ignoring that every good thing they enjoy comes from God (cf. James 1:17). Cross-References that Echo the Same Heart • Exodus 5:2 – Pharaoh: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice…?” • Malachi 3:14 – “It is futile to serve God… what have we gained by doing so?” • Luke 12:19-20 – The rich fool lives for ease and profit, not for God. • Romans 1:21-22 – Though they knew God, they neither glorified Him nor gave thanks. Implications for Our Own Hearts • Guard against measuring devotion by immediate payoff. • Remember that serving God is right because He is worthy, not merely useful. • Cultivate gratitude to resist contempt. • Keep eternity in view; earthly prosperity is temporary. Key Takeaways • Job 21:15 exposes the wicked as dismissive, self-focused, and profit-driven toward God. • Their questions reveal disbelief in God’s worthiness and a rejection of accountable relationship. • Scripture consistently portrays this attitude as folly that ends in judgment, urging believers to honor the Almighty for who He is, not for what we can get. |
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