What does Job 21:24 reveal about God's justice in earthly life? Setting the Scene - Job’s friends insist that earthly prosperity always mirrors righteousness, and suffering always mirrors sin (Job 4–20). - Job answers with real-life counter-examples: “One dies full of vigor… Another dies in the bitterness of his soul” (Job 21:23, 25). - Verse 24 sits in the middle of that contrast: “his body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow.” What Job Observes in 21:24 - A person can reach death healthy, satisfied, and seemingly blessed. - No obvious calamity, sickness, or divine rebuke interrupts his life. - Job implies that this individual may be wicked (21:30) or at least no more righteous than others who suffer. What This Tells Us About God’s Present Justice - Earthly circumstances are not a fool-proof indicator of God’s pleasure or displeasure. - God’s justice is broader than the immediate, visible moment; He allows both righteous and wicked to experience health or hardship (cf. Matthew 5:45). - The verse dismantles the simplistic “prosperity-equals-piety” formula. - It invites humility: only God sees the full moral ledger and the final outcome (Romans 2:5-11). Scriptural Cross-References - Psalm 73:3-17—Asaph struggles with the prosperity of the wicked until he “entered the sanctuary of God.” - Ecclesiastes 8:14—“There is a futility that is done on the earth…” - Proverbs 3:33—The LORD’s ultimate blessing or curse rests on moral standing, not mere wealth or health. - Hebrews 9:27—Death is followed by judgment, ensuring final reckoning. - Revelation 20:12—The dead are “judged according to their deeds” before God’s throne. Key Takeaways for Today - Do not equate someone’s bank account, physique, or ease with God’s verdict on their life. - Remember that divine justice may be delayed but is never denied; the final court date is still ahead. - Let present prosperity lead to gratitude and humble stewardship, not self-righteousness. - Let present suffering drive us to trust, not despair, knowing God’s justice extends beyond the grave. |
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