What does Job 21:16 reveal about God's control over the wicked's prosperity? “Yet their prosperity is not in their own hands; so I keep far from the counsel of the wicked.” What the Verse Directly States - Prosperity (“their good”) is “not in their own hands.” • The Hebrew wording points to an outside, superior authority controlling outcomes. - Job distances himself from “the counsel of the wicked.” • Because God, not the wicked, ultimately decides their rise or fall, their advice is worthless. God’s Sovereign Control over the Wicked’s Prosperity - Ownership of wealth and success lies with God alone; the wicked merely hold what He permits (cf. Job 12:10). - Any appearance of self-made affluence is an illusion; behind it stands divine permission (Psalm 75:6-7). - God can grant temporary prosperity to accomplish larger purposes—testing, warning, or displaying ultimate justice (Proverbs 16:4). Supporting Scriptures - 1 Samuel 2:7: “The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.” - Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” - Psalm 37:7-10: The wicked may flourish briefly, yet they “will soon fade like grass.” - Ecclesiastes 5:19: Riches are “the gift of God,” underscoring His exclusive control. - Luke 12:20-21: The rich fool’s plans collapse when God reclaims his life. Practical Takeaways - Do not envy the seeming success of ungodly people; God holds the reins. - Measure prosperity by obedience, not bank accounts; God’s favor rests on righteousness (Proverbs 10:22). - Trust God’s timing—He will expose and judge wickedness, even if prosperity lingers for a season (Psalm 73:17-19). |
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